Advisory Council For

Condominiumites

Will Have A Voice

The New Hebrides

THE Condominium Government of the New Hebrides has issued Joint Regulation No. 5, of 1957 —under which it is provided that ;he two Resident Commissioners [British and French) may appoint uitable citizens of the Condominium ;o be members of an Advisory Council.

New Hebrides residents have ds nanded, over countless years, some nedium through which they might jfficially discuss the state of the lountry, and the conditions of ad ninistration, with the all-powerful Resident Commissioners. Hitherto, he Condominium (France and Jritain) has merely received the re vests, and pondered over them.

Now, at long last, a medium has leen provided through which the esidents may have a voice in ad ninistration. But it will be purely n “advisory” voice.

In that regard, it is like the Legis itive and Advisory Councils of all tie South Pacific Territories. All re ruled as dictatorships by ex srnally-appointed Governors—none an exercise any authority, against tie will of the Government of the ountry responsible for the adminis ration.

The New Hebrides Resident Com lissioners will themselves select litable men from the French, ritish and native communities, 1 for ppointment for one year as mem ers of the Advisory Council. The C’s may not accept their advice id they may terminate such ipcintments, in special circum ances, without notice.

It is not much —but it is some rogress, because the citizens now ill have an official channel for ttnmunication with their govern ment.

Mr. Tipuia, lately senior clerk in ie Resident Agent’s office at Atiu, oqk Islands, has been appointed Jsident Agent at Pukapuka (Danger .), in the Northern Cooks. The )pointment is in line with Admin tration policy to appoint Cook landers to these posts whenever itable men are available. Since e policy was adopted several years :o some appointments have not en successful. Mr. J. H. Webb, io had been Acting RA, Pukapuka, -nt to Aitutaki in August to re ive Captain Gladney as RA there.

On August 22, four British military anes passed through Tontouta air »rt, New Caledonia, carrying tech cians on their way to Christmas land.