COOK ISLANDS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18129, 19 July 1924, Page 15

COOK ISLANDS.

ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT (MICIAL TO "ill »M3S.'') WELLINGTON, July 13. The annual report on the administration of the Cook and other islands waa ! presented to the- House of Representatives to-day. It states that the utmost goo<bvill and harmony exists between the Administration and all sections of tho people, and there is ample evidence of a warm regard for and.attachment to New Zealand. The Minister states that he has approved of a schemo of education for the islands of the northern Cook group submitted by the representative of tho Loudon Missionary Society. A vota of £SOO will bo found on the Estimates of the Cook Islands Department, and for this subsidy the London Missionary Society will provide trained, full-time native teachers, will observo our * school hours and holidays, will adopt our syllabus, and will agree to the schools being open at all times for inspection by any duly appointed Administration official. "The instruction will, of course, be given in the vernacular. We have thus linked up the last of Now Zealand's Pacific territories with the Dominion educational system The report states that the Aitutaki wireless station will work with tho Harotonga radio, and will be operated by Rnrotongan scholarship pupils, whj were brought from St. Stephen's College for Maori boys (Auckland), aftsr gaining their proficiency certificatjj. and trained at the Wellington Wireless College by the Cook Island Department. These youths show great aptitude for the work, and give eyery 'promise of making successful operators. ' If this experiment proves the success that is anticipated a new and most in tercsting career will be opened for th_> vouth of Cook Island.

' Reference is made to the improve'! trade facilities. During the year 138,557 cases of oranges, 70,206 cases of bananas, and 24,578 cases of tomatoes were exported, and it is considered that with suitable shipping facilities for the coming year the export of th«3i> fruits will be increased.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION t«LIO»AH.) WELLINGTON, July 18. Tho Hon. Sir Ma.ui Pomare laid the report of the Cook Islands Department on the table of the House- of Representatives to-day. Mr Wilford complimented tho Government on the appointment of Mr Ayson as Commissioner at these. islands. His tact had been instrumental in greatly reducing the friction between white traders and native producers. At the same timo the price which we in New Zealand had to pay for Rarotonga fruit was altogether extortionate. He •considered there was.no attempt being made by the Government • to cheapen fruit to the people, or to tell the people why it could not be done. He thought the Tourist Department was lagging far behind public requirements so far as theso islands were concerned. Mr Savage entirely agreed with Mr. Wilford in all he' said regarding the Cook Islands fruit. Peoplo were paying at least 50 per cent, more than they should pay. Tho Hon. D. Buddo complained that Canterbury people were not able to get the fruit, at all.' Mr Sidey also voiced the complaints, of, tho.,South. Island., Mr Holland argued that the only satisfactory solution of the fruit problem was the establishment of State marketing depots. ■. several other members had, expressed .their views, Sir Maui Pomare, in reply, said good progress \was being made with roading in .Rarotonga, and with the establishment of an adequate water supply .f'Perhaps, more might'be done in inducing tourists to visit the islands. A shipment of tomatoes would arrive in New Zealand in a few weeks' time from, the islands. These tomatoes were the result of experiments, and he hoped that as a result of this enterprise New Zealand would have a regular . supply of tomatoes in the winter. Discussing, delivery of the fruit in the Dominion, he- said the .policy . of the Government was to see. a. fair, allocation between the .North and the South. He. censured Auckland merchants; for glutting the Wellington market with a view to destroying the Southern market. Auckland was getting its fair share of the Islands trade, and should be prepared to lot other portions oE tho Dominion have their share. Good progress was being made with the es- ■ tablishmeht of wireless, and of schools. The health of the 1 people was good, and last year there was an increase in population of 117.