SYDNEY NEWSLETTER Political Advances Sought In Norfolk

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 6

SYDNEY NEWSLETTER Political Advances Sought In Norfolk

[From the Sydney Correspondent of "The Press”]

Somewhat reminiscent of New Zealand's decision to “go it alone” at the turn of the century, and Western Australia’s threat during the 1930’s to secede from the Australian Commonwealth, is the threat now of Norfolk Island’s elected leaders to overthrow the Australian administration there. The leaders are demanding the right to make their own laws and spend the island's £50,000 a year revenue.

Their “mutiny” has split the island’s population for the first time since the descendants of the Bounty mutineers landed in 1856. All this has an interest to New Zealand because one of the leaders is a New Zealander, Mr F. J. Needham, president of the Norfolk Island Council.

Mr Needham claims there has been unrest on the island ever since it lost self-gov-ernment in 1896. But he also claims that his council is not seeking complete autonomy, only limited self-gov-ernment.

On the other hand, many of the local people descended from the men who mutinied against Captain Bligh in 1789, and from their Tahitian wahines, are uncertain and confused. The more vociferous fear that the council's aim is to turn Norfolk Island towards New Zealand—or have it created into a British Crown Colony. Soon the 1000-odd citizens will vote in a referendum to decide just how much power their council should have. Tnuutasman Shipping There is brighter news about the regular ahipiping

links between Australia and New Zealand. Mcllwraith McEachern. Ltd, which in August acquired the liner Wanganella from Huddart Parker, Ltd, denied rumours that she would be leaving the transtasman run with an announcement that the Wanganella would continue this service. The managing director. Mr W. F. J. Foster, also said the Union Steamship Company, Ltd, of New Zealand had been appointed agent for the ship. I also heard that the Greek-Australian Line is considering making the terminal for its service from Piraeus a New Zealand port instead of Sydney. The line, owned and operated by the Greek Chandria family (during World War II the family handed over its entire fleet of merchantmen to Britain to help our war effort), entered the Australian service last year with the 18,000-ton liner Patris, formerly one of the Castle ships on the London-Cape-town run.

During its short existence the line has more than proved its value to Australia, and New Zealand, by building up an export trade in lamb and mutton to Greece and Egypt.