RAROTONGAN AFFAIRS

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 279, 23 November 1921, Page 4

RAROTONGAN AFFAIRS

The genera] position in Rarotongn does not appear to bo altogether healthy. The annual report presented to Parliament yesterday shows imports amounting to £177,911, and exports £04,697. The former is an increase on the previous figures of £35,000, and the hitter a decrease of £33,000, so compared with the preceding period there is an adverse trade balance of £68,000. This is partly due to the fall in the price of Island products on the one hand and to the replenishing of rather depleted merchants' stocks on the other; but the general condition is unsatisfactory. There can be no question but that were the facilities for shipping more regular, and the conditions more suitable for the handling of tropical fruits, Rarotonga would develop into a very prosperous island, and contribute much more largely to the food requirements of New Zealand than is at present the case. The Minister is perfectly right in making it definitely clear that this country is in no position at present to move in the matter of a special boat designed for fruit transport, and the Union Company cannot be expected to carry on indefinitely an unprofitable trade. But it is a question whether in connection with the mail contract the existing steamers might not give improved service for perishable products. We would like to be assured that the case has been presented fully by the Government to the company, and every effort made to obtain better conditions for carriage. It would also not be a matter of any considerable expense to institute an inquiry into the question of marketing Rarotongan fruit in this country so that the best results may be obtained for the grower.

There is more than a hint of native dissatisfaction with the administration at the moment. The Resident at the entl of last, month made an appeal to the AriUis or native chiefs to provide labour to put the roads in order. When the roads are referred to in this case the 20-mile road that encircles the island is meant. The chiefs turned down the request flatly, although the road, probably, was never in such a state of disrepair. We are not altogether surprised at their action when we read in the Resident's own words, ' : I am confining myself to general organisation and to carrying , out some very necessary repairs to Government buildings and officers' residences." Thie conjures up the picture drawn by residents of Apia of m hive of public works carpenters busily employed on furniture and icechests for official residences, while the bridges of the istaud decay for want of a coat of paint and communications steadily ,20 from bad to worse. The Minister boiwrts that there is a credit balance of β-bout £8,000 in the Cook Islands account—New Zealand taxpayers' money no doubt—and at the same time we iind the essential road: of the main island absolutely noglet-ted. \ There is etill a case to answer in Cook Island administration and we are afraid that until our Government adopts the suggestion that we have put forward of borrowing one or two officials from 1 the Colonial Offj<?« as a nucleus of a tropical service we cannot expect radical, improvement. '