Now Cooks want independence
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
The Cook Islands is moving towards full independence.
The Premier, Sir Albert Henry, in a broadcast from Rarotonga on July 15, said he intended to have Clause 5 of the constitution amended to allow the Cook Islands to manage their own foreign affairs. New Zealand, which is responsible for the Cl foreign affairs and defence, is unlikely to object.
Sir Albert said that when he returned from the Law of the Sea conference in Caracas a referendum would be held on independence. If necessary a general election would be held.
In Wellington, the NZ Prime Minister, Mr Norman Kirk, said New Zealand would co-operate to the fullest extent if the Cooks wanted full independence from NZ. Sir Albert planned to stop off in Wellington on the way to Caracas for indepen dence talks with Mr Kirk, and with the Minister of Island Affairs, Mr P. Amos.
Mr Amos said he knew some members of the Cook Islands Cabinet wanted a review of the constitution. As far as he knew, the Cooks was not seeking to give up reliance on NZ for defence.
The Cook Islands has a population of about 20,000. There are another 12,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand, mainly in Auckland.