NORFOLK ISLAND TROUBLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 11, 14 January 1935, Page 6

NORFOLK ISLAND TROUBLES

An Aucklander who has lived for some years on Norfolk Island has described to a Wellington interviewer the grievances of the island population, which appeal - to be serious enough to warrant sympathetic consideration in this country. Politically we have nothing to do with Norfolk Island; socially and commercially there are old ties between that fruitful little sanctuary and Auckland, and the island for many years looked to this city as its marketing place. Now, because of the manner of administration, the condition of the markets, the trade embargoes, the lack of shipping facilities, the position is so unsatisfactory that many people would leave the island' if they could dispose of their little farms and plantations. New Zealand's trade embargo on Australian citrus fruits officially extends to Norfolk, a technicality which surely is contrary to the wishes of New Zealanders. The comparatively small quantity of fruit which the island could send this country would not materially prejudice growers under the New Zealand flag. The banana growers suffer equally with those who depend on citrus fruits, for the arbitrary interference with shipping arrangements has deprived them of the only convenient and profitable market.

The severance of shipping transit relations between Auckland and Norfolk Island is a matter for regret; it is one more unfbrtunate indication of the Dominion's dwindling South Pacific trade. Forty or fifty years ago there was frequent communication with the island; a Ainall steamer traded out of this port to Norfolk Island and New Caledonia in the 'nineties, and there was a steady trade by means of schooners; the Melanesia,!! Mission vessel also carried passengers and some cargo on her periodical cruises. Now there is no communication at all except by way of Sydney. Geographically the island is an outlier of North New Zealand, a kind of halfway post between Auckland and New Caledonia. There is said to bo a considerable body of opinion in favour of administrative connection with this country rather than with Australia. Over a century ago Australia made the island a penal helk To-day rule from Canberra by medium of an Administrator appears to be expensive and unpopular. What Norfolk Island really requires, rather than any hard-and-fast connection with either Australia or New Zealand, is a system of home rule, such as that which operates quite satisfactorily on Pitcairn Island. The Norfolk population is larger, but the principle of complete local self-government is equally applicable and equally necessary there. The Pitcairn people elect their own chief magistrate. They need no official from outside. They have the sufficient protection of the British flag and some trade connection with the outside world. If the Norfolkers were left to deal freely with their own affairs and allowed to make their own trade arrangements in co-operat,ion with business interests in New Zealand and Sydney, the present discontent would probably disappear. —J.Cf.