General elections were held in Papua and New Guinea on 2 October 1954.
Electoral system The 29-member Legislative Council consisted of the Administrator, 16 civil servants, nine members appointed by the Administrator (three representatives of the indigenous population, three representing European settlers and three representing missionaries) and three elected Europeans.Local voice in Papua-N. Guinea administration: Legislative Council Taking Shape After Long Delay Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1951, p9 The Chinese community were also given the right to vote alongside Europeans.Future of Chinese Communities In The Pacific Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1953, p40 However, although there were around 13,000 Europeans and 2,000 Chinese in the territory, only around 2,700 people registered to vote.Territorians Show Disinterest In Local Politics Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1954, p12
The three elected members were elected from three single-member constituencies, New Guinea Islands, New Guinea Mainland and Papua by preferential voting.P-NG Legislative Council: Election of Three Members Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1951, p11 Voting was not compulsory.P-NGs Second Council Elections, October 2 Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1954, p31
Campaign Nominations for the three elected seats closed on 9 August, with five candidates put forward. The New Guinea Islands seat was contested by the incumbent Don Barrett and John Stokie, a plantation manager. In New Guinea Mainland, the incumbent Carl Jacobsen did not run, resulting in a contest between the theatre owner Harry Starr and optometrist and planter George Whittaker. Incumbent MLC Ernest James was the only candidate in Papua.Only Few Seek PN-G Voters' Favour Pacific Islands Monthly, August 1954, p16
Results ConstituencyCandidateVotes%NotesNew Guinea IslandsDon Barrett40877.9Re-electedJohn Stokie11622.1New Guinea MainlandGeorge Whittaker14578.4ElectedHarry Starr4021.6PapuaErnest JamesUnopposedRe-electedInvalid/blank votes25–Total734100Registered voters/turnout1,82540.2Source: Pacific Islands Monthly
Appointed members PositionMemberAdministratorDonald ClelandCivil servantsChief Collector of CustomsFrank LeeGovernment SecretarySteven LonerganChief Native Lands CommissionerIvan ChampionCrown Law OfficerWalter William WatkinsDirector of Agriculture, Stock and FisheriesR.E.P. DwyerDirector of District Services and Native AffairsAlan RobertsActing Assistant Director of District Services and Native AffairsJohn Rollo FoldiDirector of EducationWilliam GrovesDirector of ForestsJames Bannister McAdamDirector of HealthJohn GuntherDistrict Commissioner for Central DistrictSydney Elliott-SmithDistrict Commissioner for MadangR.W. WilsonDistrict Commissioner for MorobeHorrie NiallDistrict Commissioner for New BritainJohn Keith McCarthySecretary of Lands, Surveys and MinesDouglas MacinnisTreasurer and Director of FinanceHarold ReeveRepresentatives of EuropeansDoris BoothRobert BuntingBasil Fairfax-RossRepresentatives of NativesMerari DicksonPita SimogunJohn VuiaRepresentatives of MissionariesJames DwyerFrank George LewisDavid Eric UreSource: Pacific Islands Monthly, Institute of Commonwealth StudiesLegislative Council 1954, Institute of Commonwealth Studies
Aftermath In March 1955 Frank Lee was replaced by Thomas Grahamslaw.Popular Promotion for Mr. T. Grahamslaw Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1955, p63 Later in the year missionary representative Frank George Lewis left the territory and was replaced in the Council by Philip Strong.His Lordship the Bishop of New Guinea Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1955, p9
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