Norfolk's Election

Issue-'Are You

Satisfied?'

By staff writer KEN McGREGOR

Will residents of a few years’

standing or islanders triumph

when elections for Norfolk Island’s eight-man council are held in July?

With more recent arrivals on Nor folk voting for the first time this year, it’s possible that these, mainly businessmen, could win two, if not more, seats on the advisory body, which is currently composed of islanders.

The present council has proved ultra-conservative when dealing with overseas investment on Norfolk and dogmatic on several parochial issues, such as land sub-division and grazing.

Many newcomers hope that the July council will have new faces and adopt a series of constitutional changes, taking control of local public utilities and handling its own budget.

The hoped-for changes are identical with other proposals rejected by Nor folk’s councillors in 1961.

One councillor, forthright Ab Bathie, the most progressive member of the present council, feels it should be “progressive enough” to take on more responsibility. On the other hand, he thinks development has reached “saturation point”.

He wants controls, sewerage for Burnt Pine town area, proper land zoning, income tax, farm subsidies and islanders getting more of the tourist dollar.

Ugly town centre Many islanders support Mr. Bathie in his argument that unrestricted de velopment has gone far enough.

Burnt Pine has become no more than an ugly, Australian, outback town; big parts of Kingston have eroded due to overgrazing of Norfolk’s sacred cows; and too many dirt roads have been constructed with no thought for their effect on the local terrain (Prince Philip Drive is a good example).

It boils down to what rate of pro gress voters want on Norfolk, and this will be the central electioneering theme in July.

No one wants to go backwards or take a drop in current standards of living which have spiralled in the tourist boom of the 1960’5. How ever, many are now realising that a tough price—from the diminishing pines to proliferating rubbish—has been paid for it.

Most accord Administrator, Air- Commodore Dalkin, respect for his 20-month control of the island. They say his relations with this council have been less contentious, with one major exception, than relations council had with his predecessor, Mr. Reg Marsh.

Mr. Dalkin comes out as someone not to be bluffed and a man of his word, with a genuine desire to con sider all Norfolk’s residents feelings rather than just a group or two.

With an interest in the island’s history, a flare for breakfast bar becues and no hesitancy in getting involved, he’ll leave behind many friends should he leave the island when his two-year term finishes later this year.

On local issues, Mr. Dalkin has been as dogmatic as his councillors.

He doesn’t believe in permanent farm subsidies to revamp neglected farms, because in his words, Norfolk is “horticultural, not agricultural”. He is equally convinced that continued sub-division of 10 and 12-acre land plots will be detrimental.

Islanders remain adamant that they have the right to divide up their land the way they please; selling off an acre or two to wealthy outsiders can mean ready cash in emergencies, they argue.