FUTURE OF CHATHAMS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29458, 9 March 1961, Page 16

FUTURE OF CHATHAMS

Govt. Sets Up Committee (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 8. The Government has decided to set up a departmental committee to investigate the administration and finances of the Chatham Islands. This was announced today by the Minister of Island Territories (Mr Gotz), who added that this decision arose from his concern about conditions in the Chatham Islands. Before the Government could make any attempt to solve the problems of the islands a good deal of basic information was required, and it would be the duty of the committee to assemble this information and make recommendations as to the future control of th: group, Mr Gotz said. Although finance for development was available through various Government departments such as the State Advances Corporation, the Maori Affairs Department, the Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service, and numerous others, there appeared to be no co-ordin-ated plan to ensure ernment funds available for the Chatham Islands were spent in the way which would be most beneficial to future progress. The members of the committee are Messrs P. J. O’Dea (Internal Affairs Department). M. L. Hegan (Island Territories Department), and A. Wilson (Treasury).