delusion’ - Young Vivian

‘Decolonisation snare delusion’ - Young Vivian

Niue MP, and former secretary-general of the South Pacific Commission, Mr Young Vivian, has made a bitter attack on the United Nations for “forcing internal self-government on Niue.”

He claimed Niue was a victim of the international drive against colonialism and criti cised New Zealand as well as the U.N. for failing to recognise the fragility of Niue’s economy.

Speaking in the Niue Legisla

tive Assembly on his motion to form a committee to study the problems caused by unemploy ment and migration, Mr Vivian, member for Hakupu, said that when the question of changing Niue’s relations with New Zea land was brought up by the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation it appeared that the United Nations forced New Zealand into a position where it had no choice but to amend the 73-year colonial relationship.

Mr Young played a key role in the decolonisation process in Niue but is now bitter in his disappointment. It was sug gested in the UN committee that Niue would benefit from independence, he said in an article in Tohi Tala Niue, but, 10 years later, the reverse was the case.

Since 1974, the year Niue voted in a referendum offering four choices, and chose to become an internally self-gov erning country while still retain ing free association with New Zealand, the worst had hap pened, he said. Over 2000 people had left the country, leaving Niue with a population of only 2800, and the emigra tion trend appeared to be con tinuing.

“A nation’s real resource is its people," said Vivian. “If the problem is not arrested, will we have a nation in another 10 years? Now is the time to take the bull by the horns.

“When decolonisation was discussed with the United Na tions and the New Zealand Government we were led to believe that we would be assisted in the process until we could stand on our own feet.

But what has happened? We are left holding on to false assurances made at the time by both the United Nations and New Zealand.

“What has happened to portability pensions that were to draw our people back here; those who have lived and work

ed in New Zealand and have now retired?

“What has happened to in creased superannuation for re tired public servants?

“Where are the commodity rates that would assist our growers export their produce?

“Did the United Nations come to our assistance follow ing Cyclone Ofa; did they offer any assistance during the last drought?

“I think we have been had, for the sake of decolonisation," he said.

“It was pointed out to the United Nations at the very beginning by Professor Quentin Baxter who assisted us, that Niue’s economy was fragile and any change in relations with New Zealand at that time could lead to Niue regressing, rather than progressing. What I have said is how I see our present situation and it’s up to us to do something about it,’’ Mr Vivian said.

The house approved the mo tion and appointed a committee of four, comprising Young Vi vian, Morris Tafatu, Lady Rex and Harry Jackson to examine the problems the country faced through unemployment and emigration.

Young Vivian