Proposals For Ministerial System

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 22

Proposals For Ministerial System

(New Zealana Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 29. A ministerial system of government should be set up in the Cook Islands by 1965, said the Minister of Island Territories (Sir Leon Gotz) in a statement issued today.

There should be an executive council of five ministers and the Resident Commissioner that would have the power to refer decisions back to Cabinet, but not to vary or negate them. Sir Leon Gotz said that the New Zealand Government had striven for many years to develop internal self-gov-ernment in the Cook Islands.

Since the passing of the Cook Islands Amendment Act of 1957, the Legislative Assembly had proved capable of running its own affairs, said Sir Leon Gotz. For the last two years, he said, the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly had had complete control of the expenditure of all revenue raised locally, plus an annual subsidy of £750,000 from New Zealand.

“The New Zealand Government has given much consideration to an extension of the Assembly’* authority, and made certain suggestions. “The Assembly asked that the constitutional proposals of the Government should be considered by an expert committee, and that the Government might favourably consider other recommendations that might be made,” said Sir Leon Gotz.

In consequence, Professor C. G Aikman, of Victoria University of Wellington, Professor J. W. Davidson, of the Australian National University, Canberra, and •Mr J. B. Wright, New Zealand High Commissioner in Western Samoa, had been asked to visit the Cook Islands and to make recommendations for constitutional changes. Report Presented

“This they have done and their report was presented to the Legislative Assembly last week,” he said. “The Government of New Zealand is happy to give effect to the proposals, which are but an expansion of the constant endeavour of the Government

to prepare Cook Islanders to take over the responsibilities for their own destiny, and the Cook Islands adoption of the recommendations would be an indication of their desire to do so and of their faith in their ability. “The New Zealand Government will continue to advise as long as the Cook Islands want advice and will give material help to the greatest extent possible,” he said. “There are still, however, matters of detail to be decided, and the Assembly Is now in session in Rarotonga to consider these matters before making final recommendations to the New Zealand Government. “The Assembly ha* already made it clear that the Cook Islands people, while desiring internal self-govern-ment, wish to retain their New Zealand citizenship,” said Sir Leon Gotz.