challenge
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
Sir Thomas beats challenge
Fascinated observers of the Cook Islands political scene wonder if the ’’coalition of national unity” will survive long enough to welcome the pha lanxes of prime ministers and other dignitaries due to invade Rarotonga for the South Pacific Forum in the first week of August.
Prime Minister, Sir Thomas Davis, survived the most recent challenge in more than convin cing style when his rivals with drew their motion of no-confi dence, tabled in parliament by Vincent Ingram MP. But the cracks in the coalition were more than obvious. Indeed, the no-confidence motion was sup ported by the deputy prime minister, and leader of the Cook Islands Party, Mr Geof frey Henry. He pulled out of the anti-Davis motion after discovering that he did not have the numbers, even among his own 11-strong parliamentary group, to push it through.
The political back-stabbing has had other repercussions, not all of them political. The Cook Islands group due to attend the Pacific Festival of Arts which has been working on its arrangements since February discovered on the eve of their departure for Tahiti that the minister in charge of the re-
levant portfolio, Mr Geoffrey Henry, had not provided the promised funds.
Precise details are difficult to pin down but it is alleged that the minister had been confident that by the time the festival party needed to fly out he would be prime minister and could duly authorise the funds.
But the no-confidence vote was
pushed under the parliament ary carpet and Mr Henry flew off for Hawaii.
With only a day to go before the party of 130 dancers and musicians was due to fly out to Papeete, officials of the Cook Islands National Arts Theatre rushed around Rarotonga, to government offices, and church authorities pleading for help to ’’preserve the national reputa tion.”
The party got away on time but, according to some reports from the Cook Islands capital, Mr Henry can expect to meet a deputation anxious to have an explanation.
Sir Thomas Davis ... “the host with the most”. Photo by Un Tak Fook.