Luck Turns

The Henry

A smiling former Cook Island: Premier, Sir Albert Henry gained a new lease on his pol itical life when an appeal cour in Auckland in late Octobe; quashed a three-year politica ban on him.

Surrounded by supporter; and grinning hugely Sir Alber stood on the Supreme Cour steps and clasped his hand; over his head like a victorious boxer. Yes, he told his sup porters, he would be available for the islands’ 1982 General election. ‘Whenever the opportunity is offered for me to stand, out side of the six Cook Islands Party members in the House al present, I will stand,’ he told his followers. ‘lf the people want me to go on until I die I will.

And if they don’t want me to serve them any more, I will rest,’ said the man who had led the Cook Islands for 13 years after their independence.

On August 21 this year Mr Justice Beattie in the Cook Islands High Court placed Sir Albert on probation for three years (Pirn Oct p2O). This specified that he should not seek election to the legislative assembly or hold any other pol itical office during that time.

That judgement followed the trial of Sir Albert who

pleaded guilty to two charges

of conspiring to defraud the Crown and one charge under the Public Monies Act that were all related to flying in voters from New Zealand to support his Cook Islands Party in the general election last year.

He was ordered to pay maxi mum fines and costs totalling s34oo for using more than $350 000 in Government money bringing in his sup porters to vote. Sir Albert’s appeal was against the pro bation which he claimed wasl

inappropriate, unreasonable j

and oppressive.

Three New Zealand judges sitting as the Court of Appeal j for the Cook Islands upheld his 1 appeal. Mr Justice McMullin, j

delivering the judgment, said

that probation was imposed for the sole purpose of restricting""

Sir Albert’s political activities.

William Gasson.