§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the continuing unrest in the New Hebrides; and whether he is satisfied with the impartiality of the judicial processes which led up to the arrest of the National Party member, Shem Rarua, for murder on 6th June 1976.
§ Mr. RowlandsMr. Shem Rarua has not been arrested for or implicated in the killing mentioned. However, his brother Harrison Rarua, has been arrested in connection with the murder of a New Hebridean youth on 6th June. We are satisfied that the judicial processes have been properly followed.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the attainment of independence for the New Hebrides in 1977.
§ 1976 Mr. RowlandsNo timetable has been fixed. The Governments of France and Great Britain recognise and respect the aspirations of the people of the New Hebrides and will work together for the orderly and democratic evolution of the New Hebrides in accordance with the basic principles of self-determination.
The following is the text of a joint ministerial message of 29th June 1976 on this subject.
ANGLO/FRENCH CONDOMINIUM OF
THE NEW HEBRIDES
Joint Ministerial Message published onth June
This first meeting of the Representative Assembly is a milestone in the history of the New Hebrides, with which we as the Ministers responsible in Paris and London are proud to be associated.
We were impressed by the very high poll in the elections last November.
It is evident that the people of the New Hebrides are ready to make their voice heard 489W in the affairs of the group and in determining their own future development. The Governments of France and Great Britain recognise and respect these aspirations and will work together for the orderly and democratic evolution of the New Hebrides in accordance with the basic principle of self-determination.
Much remains to be done to overcome the less happy legacies from the past, but we must look to the future, not the past.
The 1914 Protocol is not a satisfactory basis for a relationship between our peoples in 1976 but we do not propose to embark on new negotiations to define rights and responsibilities for ourselves in the New Hebrides.
Our intention is to co-operate with each other in building the future of the group in full agreement with the people of the New Hebrides.
The establishment of this Representative Assembly is just a beginning.
The experience drawn from this first legislature will lead us, if you so desire, to look into the transfer to this Assembly of a greater measure of legislative responsibility and to consider the creation of an executive body to supervise the Condominium services.
We have instructed the two Resident Commissioners to draw up plans to rationalise the joint Administration. This process is to start during the present Assembly and we intend to complete it as soon as possible, to create an administration closely adapted to the needs of the New Hebrides.
In parallel with this task, improvements in the workings of the Representative Assembly itself can be studied.
We also invite you to consider with us during this Assembly how best to achieve these aims. We do not wish to impose institutions on the French or British model, but to draw on what is best irrespective of origin.
We shall look to your wisdom and cooperation, and those of all sections of the community, to devise democratic methods of government to suit the present and future needs of the New Hebrides.
Our role will be to help in any way we can, and to provide the specialist advice or material assistance which you may seek.
We shall not allow differences of language, of culture, of tradition or of race to weaken our shared determination to make the New Hebrides a truly exemplary society in which all constituent groups can live and work in peace.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied that both Administrations in the New Hebrides are maintaining due political impartiality in the internal politics of the Condominium.
§ Mr. RowlandsYes. Impartiality is an essential element of joint policy.
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§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the functioning of the Regional Assembly of the New Hebrides; and when he expects existing disputes about representation to be settled.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe Representative Assembly met without representatives of the customary chiefs from 29th June. It recommended the establishment of a separate independent council to advise on custom matters, including the criteria for choosing chiefs to represent custom in the Assembly. Some seats of representatives of the people which were challenged await the result of appeals in the Joint Court.