Those Electorally Indifferent New Guinea Residents
p. 48 · Read in the full issue
More High Official Scolding!
AUSTRALIAN Minister for Terri tories Hasluck scolded like an irascible grandmother when n Port Moresby recently, he was asked whether the people of Papua and New Guinea were likely to be given a larger voice in the government. (At present, the Dual Territmr has a Legislative Council, on which there are 15 Ex-Officio members, 9 members nominated by the Admin istrator. and 3 elected members. The Council has little power—the Ad ministration has complete authority over it, both in the overwhelming number of official members, ana in the power of veto.) “Public apathy to the recent Terri tory elections was so great and showed such an unwilling desire to shoulder political responsibility that, at present, there is no prima facie case for giving the people mpre rep resentation on the Council,” Mr.
Hasluck said.
He continued in this strain for some time. He pointed out that Mr. E. A. James was elected un opposed, while only 530 out of a possible 1,135 voted in the other two electorates.
What inducement is there for residents in the Territories to take
any real interest in the Council, when they know that the Council can be over-ridden at all times and at any time by high officialdom?
The non-official residents have many reforms they wish to suggest, and many grievances they should like examined; but the Council, be ing without any authority, is of no help to them in those respects.
Furthermore, the limited electoral machinery that is provided is so cumbersome in character that a considerable proportion of people, who might like to vote, are auto matically shut out. t A new note in advertising films is struck by Holbrooks on Parade, pro duced by Mr. Eric Porter. This colour cartoon, which presents Hol brook bottled and tinned goods as characters, with Host Holbrook com manding the parade, has a back ground of specially prepared music.
It will be screened throughout Aus tralia, Papua and New Guinea. fl Mr G. H. V. Newman, Brisbane, who has been appointed manager of the Bank of NSW head office at Sydney, has worked for the bank in NZ and Fiji. He joined in 1922.