Cook Islands
p. 37 · Read in the full issue
House Of Arikis
Proposed For
A three-man delegation from he Cook Islands left Rarotonga or New Zealand in the Monterey m May 17 to discuss the Cook islands Constitution with NZ’s
Minister of Island Territories,
Ax. J. R. Hanan, and a Select Committee of the NZ Parlia ment. rHE delegation comprises New Zealand’s Resident Commissioner i the Cook Islands, Mr. A. O. Dare, tie leader of the Cook Islands Party, Albert Henry, and the Leader f Government Business in the Cook slands Legislative Assembly, Dr. lanea Tamarua, who is also deputy ;ader of the Cook Islands Party.
The main subjects that the delega ion will discuss are a proposed House f Arikis and the residential qualifica ions for electors and candidates in lections for the Legislative Assembly, dnch the Assembly wants reduced 3 three months.
Yearly Meetings
The House of Arikis would meet nee a year on Rarotonga under the ligh Commissioner, who would be le Constitutional Head of State. It muld consist of eight arikis from the uter islands and six from Rarotonga.
The House would be a consultative ody with the Government on land latters, native custom and related □bjects on which the Government light require advice.
It would have the power to refer iack to the Legislative Assembly nd/or the Cabinet up to three times, liter the first time the arikis could emand consultation with the Cabinet, Tie High Commissioner would retain tie right to refer back, as already /ritten into the draft constitution.
If the House of Arikis should re uest it, the Cook Islands Govern lent would “look favourably” upon proposal for an ariki, in addition to tie High Commissioner, to represent he Queen.
No law that runs counter to raditional land usage would be en orced unless so requested by the rikis and kavanas of the island in olved.