First Session Of Legislative Council In

Rarotonga

Elected Members Would Like Fewer Official Members

Rarotonga, Nov. 10.

rpHE inaugural session of the newly JL constituted Cook Islands Legislative Council- was opened in Rarotonga on November 5, and is still sitting.

Representatives are present from most of the islands. They were elected by the various Island Councils earlier in the year. These elected representatives are:— Rarotonga, William Hugh Watson, Makea George Pa Karika Ariki, DCM, Piri Tekamu Maoate, Ua Turua; Aitu taki, Norman Mitchell; Atiu, Rangema tane Maka Kea Ariki; Mauke, Jane Tarare Ariki; Mangaia, Mateke John Trego Ariki; Manihiki, Tihau Nabala; and Penrhyn, Akatapuria.

As well as the 10 elected members there is a President of the Council in the per son of the Resident Commissioner and 10 official members appointed by the New Zealand Government. They are the Resi dent Agents of the various islands, plus the Directors of Education and Agricul ture x the Chief Medical Officer and the head of the Treasury Department. The four departmental heads were subse quently deemed to be superfluous by the elected members of the Council but whether they are “removed” (as recom mended) remains to be seen.

Apart from the honour of representing the peonle, the elected members will have several privileges, one of which is free travel on New Zealand railways and railway motor-road services.

AT the opening of the first session messages of goodwill were received from the Governor-General and Prime Minister of New Zealand. The NZ Government was officially represented by Mr. R. T. G. Patrick, Secretary of the Island Territories Department, Welling ton.

Early sessions were devoted to rules of procedure, adoption of Standing Orders, etc., for the future guidance of members.

Later sessions dealt with the current year’s estimates and requirements for next year.

It is hoped that the new Council will

be a means of expressing public opinion in the Cook Group as well as a means of ensuring a larger measure of self government. Island Councils com prised of the chiefs or Arikis have functioned- for many years but these acted merely in an advisory capacity.

For the first time this year, Island Coun cils have elected members to act with the Arikis, and it is from these elected members that representatives for the Legislative Council are selected. The Legislative body will exercise authority over the whole group and will have power to pass ordinances for peace, order and the good government of the Group.

As with similar bodies in other parts of the Pacific, so long as the official mem bers have the required numbers, the balance of power will rest with them.

But now the Cooks, through their Legis lative Council, have a voice which at least will be heard.