Executive

GEIC To Have Executive Council

An Advisory Council for the Gil bert and Ellice Islands Colony legally came into existence on July I —and with it came the announcement that the Colony is also to have an Execu tive Council. order which brought the Coun cil into being was made by the Acting Western Pacific High Commis sioner, Mr. M. D. I. Gass, while at Tarawa on July 1 during a tour of the GEIC. On June 29 he unveiled a commemorative plaque for the Coun cil Chambers, which are at present being built at Bairiki, Tarawa. Mr.

Gass made the announcement about the Executive Council.

Up till now, the GEIC has been the only British Pacific territory with out any form of council representing the whole territory.

The Colony has been moving to wards these important constitutional steps for some time. Some years ago the Magistrates’ Conference, at which the native magistrates of every island gathered from time to time for dis cussion and instruction, gave place to the Colony Conference, held every two years.

In this the magistrates were joined by other members, some elected and some nominated. Views were ex changed on many aspects of the de velopment and administration of the CoJony, but this conference was an administrative arrangement rather than a constitutional concept.

Meanwhile administration of the individual islands had passed from a body entirely appointed by the Resi aent Commissioner to the partially elected Island Councils.

Unofficial members of the Ad visory Council are: Messrs. E. H G Blaeklock Tebai* Tiba, Falani Pase hka, Tobmabma Kirimaua, Kau bunang lete, Kiabuke Maio, Tebao Klb ° boua Batika > and Moe- These members represent a good cross-sect! oo ° f the various regional, Colony 3 and re Iglous inter ests in the f n nT h< o °^ cial members are the Assis tant Resident Commissioner, Mr R Angdoni, the Chief Medical Officer,' Ur R. K. Bowman, the Senior Assis tant Secretary, Mr. R. G. Roberts, the Information and Broadcasting Officer Uatioa, and Mr!

Henry b Naisah, a senior executive ° Wltb Government.

The Council meets in September.