Is. By-Election

Mr. A. S. Bathie Wins Norfolk Is. By-Election

Mr. A. S. Bathie was the successful candidate at a by election on March 13 to fill a vacancy on the Norfolk Island Council caused by the recent death of Mr. T.

B. Bailey. Mr. Bathie polled 237 votes. His only oppo nent, Mr. G. G. F. Quintal, polled 174 votes.

IN campaigning for the vacancy, Mr. Bathie said that Norfolk Islanders should have more say in their own affairs and that the way to achieve this was to obtain broader advisory powers for the Norfolk Island Council.

Under the present Norfolk Island Ordinance, the Council has powers to deal only with domestic matters. But it has refused to take over these powers until it is given control over revenue and expenditure, power to make the island’s own laws (subject to the approval of Commonwealth Parliament) and freedom of initiative in developing the island.

Mr. Bathie said his platform had been drawn up following a meeting of residents to consider a form of Council for Norfolk Island that would be acceptable for all con cerned.

It took into account a statement by the Minister for Territories (Mr. Has luck), who said when he visited Nor folk Island in August, 1961, that the Australian Government was not likely to surrender its own powers over the island, but that if a proposal on the government of the island was sub mitted that looked reasonable and within the range of the island’s capa bility, it would be considered on its merits.