ISLAND PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 122, 25 May 1932, Page 3

ISLAND PROBLEMS.

HEAVY SLUMP IN TRADE. MANY WORKS SUSPENDED. LACK OF EXPORT MARKETS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A review of the administration activities, for the year ended March 31, made available by the Minister for the Cook Islands, shows a heavy decline in trade, although tho exports from Rarotonga exceeded imports by £10,085. The actual trade figures, compared with the year 1930, show a decrease of £03,700. The total trade was valued at £149,205, compared with £282,548 in 1925. The heavy reduction in trade is reflocted in the finances of the Group, and all except essential works have lieen suspendod, with heavy reductions in nil services. The lack of export facilities has practically depicted some of the islands of money, and the collection of native fees has been suspended. The native population to March 31, this year, shows a natural increase of 1100 since the census of 1920, and, when it is remembered that some years ago tho Cook Islanders were regarded as a dying race, tho high increase in the birth rate must bo viewed with satisfaction. Nine Island trade lias fallen from the average over the previous ten years of £35,170, to £18,098. Only during four years, since 1902, have the exports been less. Following on last year's disastrous hurricanes and droughts the rainfall for tho year was the lowest on record for twenty-fivo years, and this has seriously affected production. Also the market for native handicrafts is now practically non-existent, having been ousted by cheap foreign-made articles.