First Political Party In GEIC

The Gilbertese National Party, the first political party to be formed in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, came into existence in October. Its aims are:

• To speed up the present rate of constitutional develop ment, aiming at a more repre sentative and democratic form of government. • Increased participation in the Government of the territory. • Improvement of education for all Gilbertese and free education. • Improved relations and improved machinery for the settlement of disputes between employers and employees. % To promote cohesion among Gilbertese. • To raise the standard of living among the Gilbertese. • To maintain Gilbertese culture and traditions as circum stances permit.

About 200 people attended the first public meeting of the party

at Bairiki, Tarawa, on October 16 when the president of the work ing committee explained that membership would ordinarily be limited to Gilbertese.

However, exceptions to this rule could be made in favour of part- or non-Gilbertese who had spent much of their lives in the Gilberts.

The meeting decided to hold another meeting within one month when a constitution will be adopted and a permanent committee will replace the present working committee.

Three hundred and ninety people had paid the party entrance fee of two shillings to October 18. These included some part-Gilbertese and Ellice Islanders who had spent most of their lives in the Gilberts. (See "Tropicalities", p, 18)