Scandal has swept through New South Scotland today, following failed attempts by territorial officials to establish informal ties with the Australian Micronational Council. The dispute marks a disappointing debut to the Crown Dependency's search for friends abroad. Despite having membership within the Empire of Austenasia, recent electoral debate has seen numerous New South Scottish political candidates express an interest in forging ties with the wider intermicronational community. As part of this push, Governing Commissioner McFarlane, KCA, is reported to have recently approached the Australian Micronational Council on an informal basis, hoping to arrange contact with other micronational entities in close geographic proximity to New South Scotland. Shortly after introducing the Crown Dependency to the Council, however, McFarlane was rebuked by the assembly's de facto leader, Etukara Emperor Zecheriah O'Hair, who is reported to have labelled New South Scotland as a colonial entity. O'Hair continued by saying that "for the sake of simplicity anything less favourable for you then an equal union [with Austenasia], we call a colonial relationship". McFarlane was quick to respond, by stating "I would passionately reject any charecterisation that our territory is a mere colony" before going on to say that "I think you would find that our population is entirely opposed to that charecterisation". Concerningly, in what some may identify as an outright threat, O'Hair responded by declaring "We don't want non-Australian countries in our council, nor do we want them on the continent". This dangerous comment has added credibility given O'Hair's prior use of the Council's Discord server to call on allies to "give diplomatic support or do damages" to the digital assets and Discord server of Matachewan, with which Etukan was involved in a dispute at the time of the remarks. Likewise, O'Hair has been observed musing over the benefits of micronational war in the Council chatroom, agreeing with the proposition that such warfare "can be both useful and useless". When viewed together, these comments provoke fear of future aggression by Etukan or other Council members, especially given New South Scotland's extremely close proximity to these nations, and the Crown Dependency's long history of occupation by Zealandian forces. Governing Commissioner McFarlane, KCA, has assured the New South Scottish public that neither the Crown Dependency nor the Empire at large would consider war with Council members, given Austenasia's long and proud membership in the Union Against Micronational War. That said, McFarlane has also issued a public reminder that the New South Scottish Constabulary will continue to provide for the territory's defence, claiming that the Crown Dependency is in "safe hands". Likewise, other New South Scottish citizens have issued their own remarks, with Citizen's Party Secretary General, Sophia Albina, issuing the following statement: "The Citizen’s Party denounces this slander of New South Scotland [and] wholeheartedly and without reservation calls upon all other parties and citizens to do so as well. Is there a relationship by which the Empire of Austenasia acts parasitically upon New South Scotland? If so, we ask these defamers to cite it, for the citizens of New South Scotland are not simply morons who would put up with such behavior. We also ask, are there not citizens of New South Scotland who were born Australians? Was the foundation of New South Scotland not the efforts of an Australian citizen?" Other micronational leaders such as Hrafnarfjallian High King, Thomas Bainbridge, have also confirmed that as a result of O'Hair's belligerency, the self-governing Hrafnarfjallian Barony of Eyrie will no longer seek out membership in the Council, despite being administered by a "born and bred Australian" in what few would describe as a colonial relationship. Finally, anonymous sources with prior experience in dealing with Etukan officials have joined the chorus of condemnation, stating that the nation "has always been aggressive to the greater micronational community", before further remarking that the Etukara Empire is known for trying "to divide nations through political conflict and rebellions". Regardless of the Crown Dependency's future relationship with the Council, the territory's fast-approaching legislative elections promise to deliver a government that will continue New South Scotland's engagement with the wider community. Despite the early upset, most expect future efforts to yield better results. Quadrangle Gazette, 05/05/2020
New South Scotland
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As New South Scotland's population continues to grow, full responsibility for the territory's administration remains in the hands of the Governing Commissioner (at least until a Legislative Assembly can be proclaimed). Today's declaration of 'Gubernatorial Decree #01' marks the first law put in place by the Governing Commissioner under the new constitution of 2020. Known more commonly as the Gubernatorial Decree for Governmental and Aesthetic Continuity 2020, the new law seeks to clarify a number of key details following the promulgation of a territorial constitution on Wednesday. The decree requires Governing Commissioner McFarlane to create a central directory of Austenasian laws applicable to New South Scotland, as well as to proclaim a Legislative Assembly once the Crown Dependency's population reaches nine. Beyond that, it also acknowledges the ongoing existence of the New South Scottish Constabulary, which shall continue to nominally function as a de jure political entity pending review by the Legislative Assembly. As far as aesthetics are concerned, the decree formally sets out the official design to be used on both the flag and coat of arms. Finally, following years of Zealandian administration over the Crown Dependency, the decree formally renounces any lingering Zealandian influence within the organs of New South Scottish government. This is understood to represent a quiet condemnation of the bellicose and manipulative methods used by the former Zealandian Government to maintain control over the territory between 2014 and 2016. There is an expectation that Governing Commissioner McFarlane may pass more decrees prior to the proclamation of a Legislative Assembly, although as the Crown Dependency's population continues to grow, it may not be long before an Assembly is put in place. Those interested in applying for New South Scottish citizenship are encouraged to do so via the Commission of Demography's online web page. Office of Governing Commissioner, 24/04/2020
New South Scotland Article originally posted to the Austenasian Times. The Crown Dependency of New South Scotland marked a new era in its history today, following the promulgation of a separate territorial constitution by Emperor Jonathan I. According to the Crown Dependency’s Governing Commissioner, The Rt Hon. Sir Hugh McFarlane KCA, the creation of a sophisticated system of local governance represents a fundamental shift in the Australasian territory towards a more active form of territorial community. New South Scotland’s history dates back to late 2012 when it was first established as a colony of the now-defunct United Kingdom of New Wessex. The territory remained under Wessaxon administration for several months until it was ceded to Austenasia as the Empire’s first Crown Dependency, following the abdication of the Wessaxon Declan I and the ascension of Jonathan I to the imperial throne. Responsibility for the budding territory was placed in the hands of its first Governing Commissioner, the now Charlotte Lindstrom, who also served as monarch of the nearby Kingdom of Zealandia. Over the following four years, political turbulence within Zealandia saw the Kingdom repeatedly interfere in the Crown Dependency’s affairs, with members of the Zealandian militarily having allegedly sought to annex the territory and Governing Commissioner Lindstrom herself deliberately misinforming the Austenasian Government before occupying the land with Zealandian troops. The subsequent international condemnation of Zealandia saw Lindstrom agree to a compromise, wherein New South Scotland would function as a joint Austenasian-Zealandian condominium under Austenasian sovereignty and Zealandian administration. This arrangement only came to an end with the peaceful withdrawal of Zealandian administrators and the appointment of McFarlane to the role of Governing Commissioner in September of 2016. According to Governing Commissioner McFarlane, “New South Scotland has throughout its history made great contributions to activity within the micronational community, but its status as a sparsely populated territory has meant that as a political entity itself, it has ironically remained extremely inactive”. Governing Commissioner McFarlane hopes that with the promulgation of a territorial constitution, the status quo may begin to change. “The beauty of New South Scotland is that there is no expectation for it to emerge as one of the beating hearts of the micronational community. It has survived for years as a territorial entity on the fringes of the Empire with limited internal activity, meaning that unlike a national entity, it won’t disappear if it falls into inactivity.” “My intention as Governing Commissioner is to take this unique territory, with its long history and modest expectations, and to forge a special community within the broader micronational space. Citizens who participate in other micronations do not have to make New South Scotland their number one priority. They can come as they please and contribute what they’d like. People can invest as much or as little as they want into this effort, and together we can enjoy the resulting community.” Under the new constitution, the Crown Dependency will possess its own Legislative Assembly, judicial system and electoral process. According to Governing Commissioner McFarlane, this is designed to allow for maximum political participation, which it is hoped will then spawn other aspects of community, including frequent conversation, organised debates, contests, gaming sessions and cultural projects. “It’s best to think of the constitution like the roots of a tree. From these roots will hopefully sprout an active political system and a community that is engaged on more than just a political level.” Non-residential citizenship of the Crown Dependency – which does not grant Austenasian subjectship – is open to people of any nationality. Those interested in applying may do so via this site. Interested individuals may also explore the territory’s new website and its Discord server. Austenasian Times, 22/04/2020
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