Island to New Zealand!

Why Not Hand Norfolk Island to New Zealand!

ONE wonders why Australia main tains suzerainty over the littlee sub-tropical Territory of Nor folk Island. Except that various; kinds of more or less deserving ex politicians have found in that Ad ministratorship a pleasant and£ profitable refuge, the Island is ofl little value to Australia in relation: to either defence, commerce on communications. It represents a: drain of some thousands per annum from the Australian taxpayer, and; it gives practically nothing in re turn. There was a time when Aus tralia bought fruits and vegetables —especially passionfruit pulp—from NI; but various kinds of official muddling, plus the indifference ofi the Islanders themselves, killed that small traffic, and for some years NI has been living on its own fat: The fat, of course, is found in the fact that Norfolk Island, being free of income tax, provides a peaceful] home for a considerable number ofr people who are obliged to live upon limited incomes; and the expendi ture there of those incomes from places outside Norfolk Island pro-: vides NI with sufficient exchange to import essential goods.

If only Norfolk Island could get s suitable market for its principai products,. it could be a rich place. It;: principal products, of course, are fruit, vegetables and tourist attrac-; tions. These three things do noic interest Australia at all; but N:i now has found a market for all three in New Zealand, and presemr indications are that the traffic in. all three will develop to the advanto age of both NI and NZ. New Zea-r land needs the fruit and vegetables of Norfolk Island, which become available at a time when NZ’s sup c plies from other sources are poom and, because it is a short and cheap voyage by air from Auckland, NI ir becoming" popular as a holiday re a sort for New Zealanders.

Why should the Administration: of NI not be transferred from Auss tralia to New Zealand? NZ appan ently is going to get all the benefit! of traffic with NI. Therefore, whr should NZ not have the privilege od paying the costs of administerin c.

Norfolk Island?

Dr. M. Rose, who was in Londoic in August, has accepted re-appoint! ment as Senior Medical Officer od the Gilbert and Ellice Islando Colony. He expects to proceed from Melbourne to Ocean Island bd phosphate ship in October, SincDi he left the G & E service, couple of years ago, Dr. Rose has, been acting as medical officer o:o passenger liners.