ISLANDERS IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 17

ISLANDERS IN N.Z.

Rejection Of Plea (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 14. Demands by Cook Islanders in New Zealand to have a say in the future government of the Islands were rejected today by the leader of Government business in the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly (Mr D. C, Brown). Mr Brown, who has been leading a delegation from the Legislative Assembly for discussions in Wellington on the political future of the islands, reaffirmed that internal selfgovernment, rather than independence, was the aim of constitutional reforms taking place in the Cook Islands. Cook Islanders resident in New Zealand who, “for reasons best known to themselves,” had left the group many years ago, could have no possible appreciation of the tremendous advances made over the last few years, he said.

The right to make a decision on the future government of the islands “must surely lie with the people whose interests are solely in the islands,” he said. The Minister of Island Territories (Mr Hanan) has declined a request made by the Cook Islands (New Zealand) Society to be represented at talks in Wellington with the delegation from the Islands.

He told the secretary of the society (Mr T. A. Henry, of Auckland) that the talks were informal and he did not consider it necessary for the society to be represented. The Cook Islands delegation held final talks with Department of Island Territories officials in Wellington today before leaving for the United States.