EVADING THE ISSUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 37, 12 February 1920, Page 4

EVADING THE ISSUE.

Two months ago we commented on the fact that the "full inquiry" -which the Prime Minister had eaid -would be conducted into Cook Island affairs had dwindled down to a mere commission to investigate trade. The composition and order of reference of what is presumably the same commission are now announced. The two commieeioners, one of whom is Mt. George Elliot of Auckland, who rendered good service on the inquiry into the circumstances con-| nected with the epidemic at Samoa,j are to go with the Parliamentary j party and inquire into trade between j New Zealand and Samoa, Fiji and "other j islands." The Cook Islands, which were | to be the sole subject of the original in- j veetigation, are now merged in a larger I reference that is mainly irrelevant to the j questions at issue between the people of the Cook Islands and the administration. The present inquiry may do some I good, hut our Government is so coldly contemptuous of the findings of commissions that we have our doubts. What is I the main point just now is not what' light the inquiry may throw on trade, however important that may be, but the fact that the necessary investigntion into conditions in the Cook Islands has been definitely shelved. We presume that these gentlpmen will go to the Cook Islands and make conic oral inquiry into their trado during the brief time at their disposal. They will not take ■evidence on oath, so that if anybody comes 'forward with some of the serious complaints that have been made: against'the administration, and the com-' mieeioners happen to consider that they come within the order of reference, his testimony will be of smail value. The, fact is that the Government has made up its mind about the Cook Islands, and lis determined not to allow the only kind of inquiry that can do any good. Two; months ago the Government explained ite change of front in the matter of the commission by saying that it had made! inquiries and was satisfied that the com- i plaints againet the administration were groundless. This view may be perfectly justified, but even so, it appears to us that the atmosphere would be cleared if the requests made by European settlers for an inquiry into their grievances were granted. The appointment of this cotnmiseion shows that the Government is still of the same mind. It is quite prepared to tase up the far more difficult task of governing Samoa, while the Cook Islands, which it has had under its control for years, are seething with' discontent. i