CUSTOMS IN GUERNSEY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20718, 31 January 1939, Page 3

CUSTOMS IN GUERNSEY

QUAINT BURVIVALB RELATED An interesting woman visitor to New Zealand who has been a member of the Guernsey Parliament for 15 years and w’ho has also held the post of honorary overseer of its port, St. Pierre, for four years, was entertained recently by the executive committee of the English-Speaking Union, Wellington. The guest of honour, Miss Marie l. M. Randall, spoke interestingly of life and customs on this land of the Channel group. A special charter granted to Guernsey hundreds of years ago by Kina John still prevented England from levying Customs or tax duty from the Islanders, who had no interference from the Parliament in England at all, said Miss Randall. The Guernsey Parliament received delegates elected from among 12 members of a parish group. There were 10 such group? and these electing bodies w’ere called “douzaines,” showing the French influence which still prevails strongly. Men of 20 years of age could vote, but only women of 30 years or more were eligible to do so. Last year Miss Randall brought in a Bill to reduce the age limit to 25. In the meantime, the King's Procurateur had suggested 21 years as the age limit for women voters, and the question was at present under discussion. The Governor did not aKvays attend Parliament, she said. The Lord's Prayer was recited before business began. Nothing could be ratified till it had been sent up to the King in Council, but the British Government could not interfere in any way. The climate of Guernsey was much the same as that of New Zealand and the population of 42,000 was chiefly interested in tomato-growing. Four boat loads of this vegetable left the island every night to be sold in England. Rates were low, about a halfpenny in the pound, and income tax was about tenpence in the pound. Many olaimed that the insurance system was the best in the world; men and women were insured for every hour of the day at a low cost to themselves. The King of England. Miss Randall said, never visited Guernsey as King, but as Duke of Normandy. Miss Randall was welcomed by Mrs Knox Gilmer, Mr R. G. C. Ffitch and Mr A. Leigh Hunt. Mrs K. Preston, hostess for the occasion, thanked Miss Randall for her Interesting address and asked her to convey un'fietings to the English-Speaking Union in England from the Wellington branch. Miss Randall was presented with a shoulder posy by Mrs 11. L. Cummings. Morning tea was served.