WELFARE OF COOK ISLANDERS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24868, 7 May 1946, Page 5

WELFARE OF COOK ISLANDERS

* VISIT RY OFFICIALS THIS MONTH

CITRUS PLANTING SCHEME (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 6. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr A. G. Osborne), accompanied by the Secretary of Island Territories (Mr C. G. McKay), will arrive at Rarotonga by the regular aeroplane on May 11 and depart on May 14, writes the Rarotonga correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association under the date of April 27. The visit is keenly awaited by the Cook Islanders, as many matters affecting their welfare will be discussed. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) has requested that wherever possible representatives from the outer islands be brought to Rarotonga in order that all sections of the community may bring their difficulties forward for discussion. The correspondent states that the New Zealand Government has approved a scheme for replanting citrus trees in Rarotonga and the other islands which has been exceedingly well received by the native growers. It is so popular that the demand for orange trees cannot be met. To date, however, sufficient trees have been planted by native growers at Rarotonga alone to ensure a greatly increased output. In five years 9000 cases are anticipated from the increased yield, rising to 45,000 cases by 1956. • That is from the present plantings and does not include plantings still to be made in Rarotonga from further plants to be made available this year. Nor does it include the operation of the scheme in the outer islands, where it is being introduced this year. The future for oranges is bright, which means the welfare of the people of the Cook Islands is also bright. The scheme, which was picturesquely described by one native as “the Government doing all the work while we fold our arms,” operates as follows: the grower provides the land and the Administration advances the cash by way of wages to the owner and his employees for work done. Advances cover the entire cost of planting and bringing the trees into bearing over the next five years. The total cost to the New Zealand Government is about £12,000.

The correspondent states that the Maui Pomare. which arrived on April 27, brought badly needed supplies of flour, butter, and frosh meat, all of which had not been on sale at Rarotonga for weeks. The vessel lifted 3000 cases of oranges and 2000 cases of other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit and lemons, for New Zealand. There will be no other orange shipment of any size from Rarotonga this year as the result of the storm damage sustained last January and failin' trees. However, orange shipments will be made from the outer islands in the coming months.