THE IDEAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 321, 7 September 1932, Page 3

THE IDEAL

ATTRACTIVE RESORT NO RATES OR TAXES LEVIED IN NORFOLK ISLAND. GRIEVANCE AGAINST N.Z. Christchurch, Saturday. On Norfolk llsland — only 500 miles from New Zealand — there are no rates and taxes; only one or two imports have to pay Customs duty; the hathing is excellent; and, in the first week of August, the minimum temperature was 54 degrees, the maximum 67. These are a few of the more pleasing features of the island mentioned to a Sun reported by Mr. G. M. Wilson, a resident, who is at present in Christchurch. On the island now there are 1000 people, divided about equally into mainlanders and islanders. About 200 of the former are Government servants, employees of the cable company, or retired people. The money sp'ent by these is one reason why the exports of the island need be only about £25,000 for the year, while its imp'orts are about £10,000 more. Bananas are the main crop, but it is for seed beans that Norfolk Island is really famous. These have won 'prizes at shows in Winnipeg, for instance. For some years Norfolk Island fed the Port Jackson settlement, Mr. Wilson says. Its roads and public works are as old as any in Australia, and even now the Administrator works under a constitution that is about 100 years old, having the right of veto over any of the measures of the advisory council, which is half elective, half appointed. The Administrator is also j resident magistrate. There is very little ready money cir- ' culating, Mr. Wilson says — another of i the things that mean less worry. The island is not just a bare speck of land; it is hilly and densely wooded, the Norfolk pines that clothe it growing to a maximum height of 170 feet. There are quail which may be shot, and other birds which are protected, red and green parrots, for instance, ! and, at this time of year, gannets and mutton-birds. Each resident is allowed one bottle , of spirits — one of the few things which' i produce revenue a fortnight, and if he wants more, or gets more, he may be prohibited. Petrol, too, pays duty. but motor-cars are imported free, with the result that one make of American car which sells here for £225 can he bought there for £150. There are now 110 cars on the island. One of the island's grievances against New Zealand is that it buys from us several times as much as we buy from it, a state of affairs which New Zealand is doing little to remedy, though there is at present every six weeks a direct steamer which takes two days and three nights from Auckland. At present, Mr. Wilson says, not many tourists are visiting Norfolk Island. The reason for this is not lack of attractions or accommodation on the island, but lack of money.