Get More Say

G.E.I.C. People To

In Own Affairs

Proposals for constitutional changes in the Gilbert and Ellice

Islands Colony, designed to give

the local people more say in their own affairs, are outlined in a paper published by the GEIC Government in Tarawa in lune.

THE main features of the proposals are that the present wholly nominated Advisory Council would be replaced by a mainly-elected House of Representatives, and the present Executive Council would be replaced by a Governing Council.

The House of Representatives would consist of 23 elected members, not more than six appointed members (all civil servants), the Assistant Resident Commissioner as ex-officio member, and the Resident Com missioner as president.

The 23 elected members would be chosen from 18 electoral districts.

The eight islands in the Ellice Group would have four representatives, and the 16 islands in the Gilberts, plus the Northern Line, Phoenix and Ocean Islands would have 19.

The House of Representatives would meet not less than twice a year. The elected members would

choose a chief elected member to be their leader.

The chief elected member and four other elected members (from the Northern, Central and Southern Gilberts, and the Ellice Islands) would also serve on the Governing Council.

Other members of the Governing Council would be the Resident Commissioner as president, the Assistant Resident Commissioner as an exofficio member, and not more than four appointed members (civil servants).

Gnvprnmn Cnimril uuvemmy v,uuntii The House of Representatives would not be a legislative body, but would advise the Governing Council on “major policies for the colony and on all ordinances which the Governing Council proposes enacting”.

The Governing Council would be

both an executive and a legislative body. In its executive capacity the Resident Commissioner would be required to consult it on all except urgent and unimportant matters affecting the governing of the colony.

In its legislative capacity, the Governing Council would be em powered to make ordinances and regulations for the colony on all subjects. However, the Resident Com missioner could refuse his assent in certain circumstances, and could enact legislation himself, against the wishes of the Governing Council, where necessary.

The GEIC Advisory Council will discuss the proposed constitutional changes at its next meeting, probably in August. • Mr. B. A. Claussen, Director of Public Works in Western Samoa for the past three years, has returned to the US' for reassignment with the UN.

Mr. V. J. Andersen, British Resident Commissioner in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.