Norfolk Council’S Stand

Is A Lively Issue

The Norfolk Island Council’s sit-down strike, begun in July, developed into a lively issue in August after the Council had publicly snubbed visiting Australian Minister for Civil Aviation, Senator Paltridge.

THE Senator, who wasn’t offended at the snub, but just “a little surprised”, later offered the Council some advice about getting on with the job it was elected to do. So did a big public meeting which was called by the islanders to discuss Norfolk’s political goings on.

The troubles of the eight-man Council began after it was elected in June as Norfolk’s first experi ment in local government. Pre viously, Norfolk had an advisory council.

The new Council revolted before it had even begun.

It shot off a petition of sorts to Australian Territories Minister Paul Hasluck, insisting that the new Council wasn’t what the people wanted; Norfolk was tired of re mote control and had to have power to make its own laws (to be ap proved by the Commonwealth) and to have complete control of the budget among other things (PIM, August, p. 20).

Caused a Split

The Council said that until the Norfolk Island Ordinance was amended to give it these and some other things the Council intended

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Here is Norfolk Island's newly-elected Council. Back row, from left: Mr. G. Quintal, Mr. L. Nola, Mr. W. S. Newbald, Mr. S. Nobbs. Front row: Mrs. C. Donkin, Mr. F. C. Christian, Mr. F. J. Need ham (President), Mr. I. Bailey (Deputy President).

Photo: P. R. Hoare.

to take over none of its powers except those of an advisory nature.

This attitude caused quite a split on Norfolk —and within the Council itself.

When Senator Paltridge and Mrs.

Paltridge turned up on the island foi a four day visit, Council presi dent F, R. Needham declined an invitation by the Administrator for the Council to be represented at the airport during their arrival.

After this snub, the Council asked the Minister to meet it to discuss business later in the week. At this meeting, the Council’s one woman member. Cr. Lavinia Donkin said she apologised for the Council’s seeming rudeness at the airport, and added: “As a Norfolk Islander I say that as a people we have always been noted for our courtesy, hospitality, friendliness and loyalty.

It was a very poor show, and for my part absolute ignorance”.

Senator Paltridge said he had never heard of a case before where a community had refused powers it was offered. He suggested the Council take these over before ask ing for additional ones.

Hot on the heels of these activities, 21 islanders—with island women in some strength on the list—called a public meeting to discuss the snub, but more particu larly the refusal of the Council to take over the reins.

Feelings were high, and fireworks were expected, but the meeting was orderly. A resolution was moved that the Council resign if not pre pared to act. This was amended, for the motion to be held until the Council conferred with the convenors of the public meeting.

An announcement on what happened at this later meeting was

expected on September 12.

Meanwhile, the Council resolved to send an apology to Senator Paltridge, who, no doubt, was still wondering how he managed to be come involved in colleague Hasluck’s headache.