United Nations Hears A Plea

For Condominium Take-Over

There was some plain speaking in New York on the situation in the New Hebrides in April when the United Nations Decolonisation Committee debated condominium affairs. Present was Father Walter Lini, a leader of the New Hebrides National Party, who answered questions and gave an address.

Father Lini said that the New Hebrides, to maintain peace, should work for independence. A general election should be held in October for members of a govern ing or legislative assembly. Then, the condominium offices would be come the headquarters of a new government. There would, for example, still be two education departments but one budget.

Father Lini said his party was concerned about the political, social, economic, educational and cultural welfare of the people of the New Hebrides. Because there were two administrations, the whole structure had been one of dividing and segregating people.

“Not only do we have two administrations, but two civil services, two police forces, two educational systems, two medical departments, two official languages and two flags,” he said. “A New Hebridean like myself has no status and no citizenship. He does not have a real passport.”

In reply to questions, Father Lini said the administering powers had not told the people about UN action on the right to self-deter mination. There was no publicity about UN resolutions. Moreover, many people in the New Hebrides did not even know about the UN.

Asked by Mr H. A. Acosta (Venezuela) about the views of other political parties in the New Hebrides, Father Lini said there was some difference among them about independence. One did not wish independence. Another, while in favour of independence, wanted first to fully prepare the people, and not rush the issue. His own party wanted immediate indepen dence, otherwise no independence at all would be achieved. His party had 58,000 members. The others had 3,000 and 300.

In reply to a question by the chairman, Mr Tadesse (Ethiopia), Father Lini said the UK had tried

to localise every post in the public service and in education. It was difficult to say the same for France. The school curriculum in France was the same as the French curriculum in the New Hebrides.

Most of the staff in the New Hebrides schools were basically localised.

Mr A. D. Campbell, an Aus tralian representative on the com mittee asked Father Lini whether he thought a UN mission to the New Hebrides would be acceptable to the two administering powers.

Did Father Lini wish the New Hebrides to be made a UN Trust Territory under the Trusteeship Council?

Father Lini said he did not think Britain and France would accept a UN visiting mission, but his party would like to invite one.

He said the people of the New Hebrides were “afraid” of big countries and their practices of exploitation. The New Hebrides was prepared to be under the administration of a smaller govern ment, such as Australia or New Zealand. The New Hebrides’ trade relationships were closely linked with those countries.

But Australia won’t have a bar of any trusteeship involving the New Hebrides. Mr Campbell made it clear that Australia was not interested in such a proposal.

He said Australia would not wish to start again as a colonial power, and anyway, discussion of a trusteeship arrangement for the New Hebrides was not entirely realistic.

“We have the greatest friendship for, and neighbourly interest in, the people of the New Hebrides, but we are very dubious indeed about the advantage to them or the domestic or international ac ceptability, of such a proposal, and we do not think it should be pursued”, he said.

Soon after Father Lini spoke to the Committee of 24 another poli tical party was formed at Santo — Natuitano (Children of the Land).

Chief Liu, Of Araki Island, was elected president. About 100 at tended the inaugural meeting.

Members of other political parties were invited to attend. Mr Jimmy Stevens, leader of the Nagriamel movement was absent because of ill-health, but some of his followers were there.

Mr Thomas Reuben, of the National Party, said that even though the aims of various poli tical groups in the New Hebrides were different, everyone should work together for the future of the country. Political movements should not interfere with progress in things like education, medical services and local councils.