THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 12

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.

Sir, — : "Cranny Bill," in his letter of April 12 about Lady Houston, apparently does not know much about the Channel Islands. Being a Channel Islander it is my duty to correct a statement he made. He says, "Lady Houston, being a citizen of Jersey, is not subject to English taxation." That is so; but he adds, "The English, having treated the Channel Islanders -with their usual generosity to conquered peoples." Well, this is quite wrong, as the Channel Islands originally were part of the Duchy of Normandy and have never been conquered by the English. In 1066 William Duke of Normandy conquered England. Thus lie became Duke of Xormandy and King of England. Later on the French gradually won back Normandy, but they were never able to win back the Channel Islands. And so the Channel Islands are still and always will be part of the British Empire. The British Government has very little control over the Channel Islands. Governors are appointed by the King, who by the way is acknowledged as Duke of Normandy and not King of England. There are two Governors, one of Jersey and the other of Guernsey, and the other islands. The Governors just represent the King and do not have anything to do with the administration of the islands. Each island has its own Parliament, which is presided over by a bailiff. Each member is elected by the people and remain in office for life, or till he resigns. But no one can be nominated unless he has held responsible positions on certain "boards," e.g., town board, etc. It is a one-house, no-party Government and contains 10 clergymen of the Church of England. Guernsey, I might add, i s the second largest island. In area it is about 29 square miles and has a population of over 40,000. Guernsey Man.