State secrets

in the GEIC

Some GEIC politicians are ob viously in favour of open govern-' ment, but their numbers were not sufficient in the House of Assembly to prevent the first reading of a bill to amend the Oaths Act.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Tom Layng, explained that the bill would enable government officers to take an oath of loyalty to the Queen, with the object of keeping certain docu ments and articles as secret in the interests of the colony.

This did not suit Mr Tito Teburoro (Tabiteuea North), who considered the public must know everything.

The practice of secrecy would be un democratic, he said.

Mr Abete Merang (South Tarawa) was surprised civil servants had to swear to keep things secret. Anyway, he said, why should things be hidden from the people, and why must civil servants serve the Queen?

Chief Minister Naboua Ratieta, said civil servants would not swear i to the Queen, but to the GEICj Government. The new oath was a' reflection of political advance.

Mr Isa Paeniu, the Minister of Natural Resources, added that some things had to be kept secret in run ning the government.

Mr Kiati Tibwere (Onotoa) saw the new oath as a handy excuse for civil servants to be unco-operative, and Mr leremia Tabai (Nonouti) claimed the era had gone when cer tain information had to be kept secret. It was no longer true that secrets were essential in the public interest. Rather secrecy was in the interests of the present government, and the party in power.

Isa Paeniu, Ellice islander and GEIC minister; destined to be a Tuvaluan minister?