New Guinea Council

New Guinea Council
New Guinea Council
Leadership
Chair	Frits Sollewijn Gelpke
Vice-Chair	Nicolaas Jouwe
Clerk	J. W. Trouw
Seats	28
Elections
Voting system	16 elected
Voting system	16 appointed
Last election	1961
Meeting place
	Hollandia

The New Guinea Council (Dutch: Nieuw-Guinea Raad) was a unicameral representative body formed in the Dutch overseas territory of Netherlands New Guinea in 1961.

History

Netherlands New Guinea

Prior to the formation of the New Guinea Council, there existed a Council of Directors, which consisted of the heads of government departments. Dutch authorities initially began to establish local government bodies such as village councils and regional councils.

The New Guinea Council was inaugurated on 5 April 1961 with 28 council members, 16 of whom had been elected in elections held during January 1961. The council's inauguration was attended by representatives from Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other Pacific Forum nations with exception of the United States.^[1]^[2]

The council was requested to make its wishes on self-determination known within a year.^[3] During an emergency session the council drafted a national manifesto and symbols including the Morning Star flag for a new national identity to be known as "West Papua".^[4]

United Nations Administered West New Guinea

Following the August 1962 New York Agreement between the governments of the Netherlands and Indonesia, the administration of Western New Guinea was assumed by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) on 1 October 1962. The New Guinea Council was reconvened by United Nations administrator on 4 December 1962 and members took new oaths of office, swearing allegiance to UNTEA.^[5] The council was disbanded when Western New Guinea was handed over to Indonesia on 1 May 1963.

Council officials

Frits Sollewijn Gelpke was Council Chairman and Nicolaas Jouwe was Vice-Chair. J. W. Trouw was the Clerk of the Council.

Council building

A council building was built in Hollandia from 1960 to 1961 and used until the abolition of the council in 1962. Currently the building houses the regional legislature of Papua, People's Representative Council of Papua [id].^[6]

Gallery

Council building in Hollandia
New Guinea Council in session
Council building in Hollandia
Chairman J.H.F. Sollewijn Gelpke and councillors Arfan and Mofu
Vice-chair Nicolaas Jouwe
Members of the council with Queen Juliana of the Netherlands
Members of the council at Euromast

References

^ Dutch New Guinea. Reuters TV (Television production). Reuters. 14 April 1961. 2639/61. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
^ Tanggahma, Leonie (1 December 2012). "A History of the Morning Star Flag of West Papua". West Papua Media. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
^ newspaper report. Sydney Morning Herald, 6 April 1961
^ New Guinea Council statements
^ "UNITED NATIONS SECURITY FORCE IN WEST NEW GUINEA (UNSF) - Background".
^ Based on building similarities between the New Guinea Council building on 1961 Netherlands New Guinea stamps ("Nieuw Guinea 67/68 Nieuw-Guinea Raad Postfris". First Quality Stamps. Retrieved 4 February 2021.) and the current old building of DPR Papua.

[1] Dutch New Guinea. Reuters TV (Television production). Reuters. 14 April 1961. 2639/61. Retrieved 22 October 2017.

[2] Tanggahma, Leonie (1 December 2012). "A History of the Morning Star Flag of West Papua". West Papua Media. Retrieved 21 October 2017.

[3] wspaper report. Sydney Morning Herald, 6 April 1961

[4] New Guinea Council statements

[5] "UNITED NATIONS SECURITY FORCE IN WEST NEW GUINEA (UNSF) - Background".

[6] Based on building similarities between the New Guinea Council building on 1961 Netherlands New Guinea stamps ("Nieuw Guinea 67/68 Nieuw-Guinea Raad Postfris". First Quality Stamps. Retrieved 4 February 2021.) and the current old building of DPR Papua.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]