Future of Norfolk Is.
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Suggestion of Transfer to NZ Is Unknown Officially
ACCORDING to the Administrator of Norfolk Island, Mr, A. Wilson, there is no truth in the rumour that the island will soon come under the control of New Zealand.
Mr. Wilson is at present on a visit to Australia—a routine matter, he says, to confer with External Territories Depart ment, Canberra. Mr. Wilson is an ex- Australian MP. He was appointed Ad ministrator of Norfolk at the end of 1945.
Mr. Wilson, says that Norfolk Islanders are “hostile” at the New Zealand pro posal. There seems to be no reason why they should be. Australia can produce everything that is grown on the island, and consequently NI products are not permitted to enter the Commonwealth in competition with mainland growers. New Zealand, on the other hand, does not produce the semi-tropical fruits and vegetables that grow the year round on Norfolk. These would find a ready mar ket in the Dominion.
In a radio interview after his arrival in Australia, Mr. Wilson said that over 100 tourists per week were visiting Nor folk. It is interesting to note that these tourists are all from New Zealand. There is a Dakota service between Auckland and the island.
There is no air service between Au stralia and Norfolk Island, although the Commonwealth Government stated sev eral months ago that they “were going into the whole question.” The only regular communication with the island is by the small Burns Philp ship “Morinda” which leaves Sydney about once every seven weeks and calls at Lord Howe, Norfolk Island and ports in the New Hebrides. ' The NZ Prime Minister has denied that NZ plans to take over NI. Nothing of the kind has been considered by the Australian or NZ Governments.
It should be pointed out that the pro posal did not come from any politicians —who can always be depended upon to dodge and prevaricate, anyway—but from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce After that, it received much press pub licity. mostly favourable. Under NZ, the island would be useful and valuable.
Under Australia, it is merely an isolated community, with no economic future, and an everlasting administratiye expense.