Mr Henry’s “Hot Potato”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 3

Mr Henry’s “Hot Potato”

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. May 25. A political “hot potato” which neither his party nor anyone else wanted to handle had come out of the constitution for the islands, Mr A. Henry, leader of the Cook Islands Party, said today. Mr Henry is in New Zealand for discussions on two major amendments to the Constitution. He said Government reaction to both proposals was favourable. The “hot potato” was the composition of the Council of State for the islands. Mr Henry said the Constitution included two representative arikis (chiefs), but left it to the Assembly to decide how the selection should be made. Mr Henry said there were 18 outer island arikis and this

(would mean some would be ; without representation. In Rarotonga there were three women arikis, opposed to his party, and three men, supporting him. One of these arikis had to be on the council but who was to decide, and how? Such an approach would ■divide the people and the new Government would have a tough job with everyone ! fighting everyone else, Mi I Henry said. The Constitution in this respect would “start off No 1 big trouble” and cut right across the desire of his • party to unify the people. ) The amendment being pul t to the New Zealand Govern - ment was that there be a - separate house of arikis—for all of them —and this would 5 be a consultative body meet--1 ing once a year. r The other major amend ) ment is to the residential t clause. The amendment seeks ) a reduction from 12 months i to three months of the resi- . dential qualification for ar : elector and from three years s to one year for a candidate.

, Mr Henry said there was no legal adviser of any kind < in the islands and represen-] tations for one would be; made to the New Zealand i Government, even if only to advise the Assembly in such I matters as drafting legisla-' ! tion. There would also be dis-; cussion here on the possi-. bility of having a public rela-' tions office in New Zealand; for the issuing of permits to. people wishing to make short! visits to the islands Tourism would be encouraged to a certain extent but unlimited and uncontrolled tourism was not desired for !the islands. Mr Henry said he would be in New Zealand until he] was assured the amendments; to the Constitution would be passed. ! Once the residential qualifications are passed. iMr (Henry’s sister will resign I the seat she wort at the elections and Mr Henry will contest the by-election. ! The existing provision barred him from contesting I the general election.