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.[1] The Chinese community were also given the right to vote alongside Europeans.[2]
The three elected members were elected from three single-member constituencies, New Guinea Islands, New Guinea Mainland and Papua by preferential voting.[3] Voting was not compulsory.[4]
Automatic postal voting was introduced for all registered voters who lived over ten miles from the nearest polling station.[5]
George Whittaker did not stand for re-election in New Guinea Mainland after retiring. The seat was contested by Ian Downs, a former District Commissioner, and Sydney Barker, a dentist and miner from Wau.[6]
Dudley Jones unexpectedly defeated Don Barrett in New Guinea Islands, whilst Ian Downs was elected in New Guinea Mainland and Ernest James was re-elected in Papua.[7] Over 3,000 people voted,[7] a significant increase on the 734 votes cast in the 1954 elections (although one seat had been uncontested).
