1963 New Hebridean Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture election

Elections to the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture were held in the New Hebrides in 1963. They were the first elections in the territory's history.

Background

An Advisory Council was set up in 1958, with all members appointed. A 20-member Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture was subsequently created in 1963, with 12 members appointed by the British and French Resident Commissioners (eight from the indigenous population and four Europeans) and eight elected European members, four from the agriculture sector and four from the commerce and industry sector. The right to vote was limited to people with a trading licence, and only around 230 people – mostly Europeans – were eligible to vote.

Results

Type	Member
Elected Europeans (agriculture)	Gabriel des Granges
	J. Ratard
	H. Russet
	K. Solway
Elected Europeans (commerce and industry)	J. Chauveau
	L. Leca
	G. Meyer
	J. Stegler
Appointed Europeans (agriculture)	P. Lutgen
	G. Seagoe
Appointed Europeans (commerce and industry)	D.J. Gubbay
	J. Villemont
Appointed indigenous	Ati
	André Carlot
	Frank
	Garae
	John Kalsakau
	Jean-Marie Léyé
	Tom Tipoloamata
	To
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

The Chamber met for the first time in Port Vila on 14 June, with both Resident Commissioners making speeches.

In 1964 the Advisory Council was reconstituted to include four members elected by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (two British and two French) and four elected by the four district councils. Guichard, Leca (French), Seagoe and Solway (British) were elected by the Chamber, whilst John Kalsakau (Central 1), Joseph d'Uripiv (Central 2), Michael Ala (Northern) and Jean-Marie Léyé (Southern) were elected by the district councils.