CROWN COLONIES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 September 1921, Page 5

CROWN COLONIES

GREATER AUTONOMY

NEW SCHEME FOR CONTROL

•; BY CABLE-Pa£BS ASSOCIATIOKT-COrYKICHT ! LONDON, Sept. 13. ; A Times special correspondent writes: The Colonial Office is considering a \ scheme for the reorganisation of the administration of tho Crown Colonies and Protectorates, designed to give them a greater amount of autonomy. The main proposals are the grouping oi various colonies, according to their geographical position, under High Commissioners, who will shoulder some of ( the duties and responsibilities, especially regarding public appointments and I finance, which now devolve on the Secretary of State. It is anticipated the change will ensure nn important saving of expenditure. , The various groupings include placing piji, the Falklands. and all other Crown t possessions in the Pacific under a High .Commissioner stationed at Suva. The j High Commissioner will be given complete control of the Imperial military J ioT^ °s well as the local volunteers within their jurisdiction. They will be assisted by a council consisting of members partly elected and partly nominated by representative electors or vested interests, such as the commercial, professional, and agricultural classes. Ihe privileges and prerogatives of these nave not yet been decided. The native races will find representation thereon. Although the scheme is still in process of evolution it is believed the main principles will be along the lines mentioned.