On Tuvalu’S Future

A republic or a monarchic system? A president or a governor general?

Tuvalu, formerly Ellice Island, which is headed for independence before the end of 1978, has just been thrashing out these questions.

The eight elected members of the Tuvaluan House of Assembly made a tour of all nine islands and, theoretically at least, heard the views of every man, woman and child in the country.

Themselves split four-four on the questions, at the end of the tour they believed they had the answers; the country as a whole, especially some vocal members of the civil service and church, favours retaining the Queen as Head of State, with a Tuvaluan citizen representing her inside the country as governor-general.

Acting as a committee, the eight members have recommended accordingly. They also recommended that there shall be 12 members of parliament who would elect the Prime Minister, and that islands with a population of more than 1000 should have two MPs, and the remainder one. Four ministers in addition to the Prime Minister are recommended. These are to be appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The present position of an official Attorney-General having a seat both in the Cabinet and Parliament would continue.

The committee recommended that Tuvalu should make application to join the Commonwealth as an independent member.

Elections for the new government are expected in August.