Sir Albert?
pp. 34-35 · Read in the full issue
The Cook Islands is moving to have a head of state to replace the post of high commissioner, which has been abolished. It is not a straightforward matter. It requires an amendment to the constitution which the government cannot secure without the ap proval of the opposition for a two-thirds majority in favour is required. The govern ment has 14 of the 22 seats in the Legislative Assembly, one short of the number required for a two-thirds majority.
The assembly recently debated an amendment to the constitution to allow the appointment of a head of state ( kauono ) by the Governor-General of New Zealand on the recommendation of the Premier of the Cook Islands, after the Premier has con sulted Cabinet. During the debate the Premier, Sir Albert Henry, moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Bob Muldoon, and members of the New Zealand Government to discuss the matter.
The opposition had riled Sir Albert, causing him to say: “The only way to convince the opposition side of the importance of this bill is to take them to Wellington, and let the New Zealand Government enlighten them”.
The assembly set up a Select Committee of seven to go to Wellington. It comprised the Speaker, Mrs M. Story (chairman), the Premier, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Tupui Ariki Henry), Mr R. Pokoati MLA, Mr Pomani Tangata MLA, Mr T.
Tangaroa MLA and Dr Tom Davis, MLA leader of the Opposition. Dr Davis’s name was added after Dr P. Robati proposed an amendment to Sir Albert’s motion, naming the six other members. With Dr Davis “on side” Sir Albert should secure his amend ment to the constitution, after which nomination of a head of state should be relatively easy. It would be interesting to know who he has in mind for the job.
Hebrides
Land Deal
About 23,000 acres in the New Hebrides held by overseas property trustees are to be localised. Transfer of ownership is, in effect, a deal within the Presbyterian Church from property trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Australia and New Zealand to the Presbyterian Church of the New Hebrides Trust Association. The land is on a number of islands. The biggest piece is 5,432 acres at Dillon’s Bay, Erromango. There are two pieces of about 4,000 acres, one at Undine Bay and one at Erakor. The land was originally acquired to build churches and houses for pastors, for clinics and schools and on trust for the New Hebridean inhabitants. The Presbyterian Church of the New Hebrides Trust Association, subject to approval from the Church Assembly, will have power to return land, or interest in land, to New Hebrideans, individually or in groups, who are beneficially interested.
That means those who have a customary interest in the land and who may be, in same cases, descendants of the original owners. Thus the long-sighted policy of Presbyterian Churches overseas in taking over legal ownership of the land many years ago to preserve it for the local peo ple, will pay off.
Pitcairn Blackout
Pitcairn Island had to suffer one of the frustrations to which so-called developed countries have to suffer when a mysterious fire destroyed the power generator in June.
The 56-kw generator supplied power for all important appliances. Called in to supply as much power as possible were five private 3-kw generators and a wind generator given in 1975 by the Voice of Prophecy, the international radio station of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Glendale, California. The destroyed generator operated from 5.30 to 10.30 pm daily. So it’s sudden black-outs and other inconvenience for Pitcairners till a new generator arrives.
Violent Robbers
Mr and Mrs David Jones, of Lae, have not changed their opinions about local people although Mr Jones suffered severe physical injury after their home was entered recently. Mr Jones had chased two thieves from their house, where they had picked up a pressure-cooker full of food.
One of them struck him with a rock before they had gone beyond the backyard. Mr Jones suffered a fractured skull and had to have stitches inserted in a wound. Mrs Jones said later the incident did not change their favourable views about local people.
They realised there were many un employed in Lae. The incident at the Jones’ house was one of eight which oc curred over four nights. Thefts involved
food, clothing, small valuables and, in one case, two pups. The Lae police put out special patrols, which picked up many peo ple who were acting suspiciously, or worse.
French Tour
General Andre Fournier, Commander of the French forces in New Caledonia, visited Australian military chiefs in early June, accompanied by staff officer naval Captain Tabournel. The visit highlights the growing French interest in selling uranium technology and military armaments to Australia. These French objectives were indicated by the March, 1975, visit to Australia by Mr Olivier Stirn, Minister for French Overseas Territories. At the time, Mr Stirn talked of uranium and expressed the hope that the French Prime Minister could visit Australia by the end of 1975.
Since then, French officials in the Pacific have been repeatedly hinting that Australia is, or should be, worried about threats from outside with the insinuation that a nuclear power like France should be encouraged to maintain her protective, neighbourly presence in the Pacific. Dur ing the latest official French visit. General Fournier visited Sydney and Canberra and held talks with Sir Arthur Tange, Secretary of the Australian Defence Department and with Lt.-General Flassett, Chief of the General Staff. Noumea has been steadily built up as a showcase of French military hardware, with spec tacular displays of men and machines along the Anse Vata beach.
The Gilbert Islands has issued a new set of stamps, as colourful and attractive as any previous Pacific Islands issue. Issuing attractive stamps is something at which the Islands excel, setting an example which could well be followed by the more sophisticated metropolitan countries. The 16 stamps in the series represent many of the facets of the Gilbert Islands. There are fish, islands ships, tropical flowers and trees, an evening scene, an atoll and the Gilbert Islands flag, to mention a few. The stamps are in denominations of 1c, 3c, 4c, sc, 6c, 7c, Bc, 10c, 12c, 15c, 20c, 35c, 40c, 50c, $1 and $2.