Educated Leadership

Albert Henry spoke also of the type of people who were leading the Cook Islands Party. The Deputy Leader, he said, was a doctor, the Secretary a primary school headmaster, and one of the executive members held an MA in economics, while women members included the President of the Women's Institute. At present, he said, all prospective candidates were Maoris, but there were many European members in the party and "one or two we would like to see as candidates."

And the ultimate goal of his party? "The time will come when we will have to choose between gradual integration and gradual full independence—but we do not know at present. The first three years will give an indication of how we are going."