Secret Talks On
p. 20 · Read in the full issue
Dutch Council
While the Australian High Court argued the future of Pap\ia-New Guinea's Legislative Council, natives and Europeans in Hollandia, Netherlands New Guinea, we' e meeting in a series of discussions on the details of NNG’s projected New Guinea Council.
THE plan will go before the Dutch Parliament later this year, and the Council will probably get going in the first half of 1961. The 1961 Budget will include a sum for the erection of Council chambers.
The first Council will comprise 28 members, whh a native majority (for details see PIM, May, p. 18).
First talks on the Council’s com position began in Hollandia on May 17, when the Governor, Dr, Flatted, opened a three-day conference at tended by about 20 well known Papuans from all parts of NNG.
Discussions were secret. Director of Internal Affairs, Mr. A. Boender maker, and three advisers, conducted the meeting.
A similar meeting, this time at tended by non-indigenous residents, was scheduled for May 24, when the Government hoped to get a cross section of European opinion NNG is working on a 10-year plan to develop the natives to a point where they can see their way to taking over their own affairs. The Dutch Government has made it clear, however, that this term is not necessarily intended as a target date for independence.