NI Votes For The Mixture

Mixture As Before

From our Norfolk Island Correspondent Although Norfolk Island’s Council staged a sit-down strike within weeks of its being elected two years ago; and although there has been con sirable wordy opposition to it since, Islanders voted to retain membership “as is” on July 4.

EIGHT candidates contested elec tion for four seats on the Norfolk Island Council on July 4, All four retiring Councillors were members of the so-called ‘Bloc’ and included the President Mr. F. I.

Needham, and Norfolk’s political stormy petrel, Mr. W. Selby New bald.

They all presented themselves again, appearing before the electors for the first time since Council took office two years ago when Mr.

Newbald topped the poll.

The other four candidates contest ing the seats included the Council’s most outspoken opponent, Mr. A. S.

Bathie. At the declaration of the results all four Councillors were returned and the Bloc thus has again a seven to one majority in the council with the sole “independent”

Mr. W. M. Randall, still sitting. [NTs Council has eight members, half of them retiring in rotation].

The most entertaining aspect of the election was the manner in which the fourth seat was finally decided after two nominees tied with 216 votes each. Under section 43 (3) of the Norfolk Council Ordinance the issue was decided by lot. The two names were placed in a hat and an obliging member of the public stepped forward to draw the lucky number.

This draw favoured the retiring Councillor, Mr. Newbald, whose popularity has apparently declined since 1960.

The four declared that their policy during the past two years “has kept the Island free of rates and debt yet, through our firmness, much more money has been made available for public works without any debt attached”.

However, it is still not clear whether the majority of Norfolk s residents favour the Council’s drastic proposals for extended powers. In the absence of any statement to the contrary, it must be assumed that the policy still stands as declared in 1960 thus: 1. A Council of 6 or 8 members

with the Administrator as officio Chairman. 2. The Council to have comr control over locally r revenue. 3. The Council to be empowers make laws in the Territory.. 4. The Council to have Adw powers on all other matters as economies in management to have complete freedom i initiative concerning matter;lated to policy for the Isl; development.

There appears to have softening of Council’s attitude the arrival of the new Administt Major-General Wordsworth.

Honour has mingled freely wifi residents and appears to hat sympathetic ear. He has requ Council that he be allowed to s their meetings. Council replied:: are delighted”. Not only thae they have assured residents “With the assured co-operation o new Administrator . . . a r Council can achieve the forn Government the people want”.

On Wheels

Everyone is skating i [?] Tonga—usually at night whe [?] the skating rink is floodli [?] These two were from the Mu' [?] village team which compete [?] in a roller-skating display [?] Emancipation Day in June.

Photo: Tulua Bro[?]