The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1958. Cook Islands Administration

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 10

The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1958. Cook Islands Administration

The decision of the Minister of Island Territories (Mr Mathison) to make an early visit to the Cook Islands is welcome. In the light of recent criticism by the “Manchester Guardian” of New Zealand’s record as a colonial administrator, such a visit is desirable. As the newspaper said, this is a time when all Powers in charge of colonies or mandated territories are suspect in the rest of the world; and, if there were any substance to these suspicions, it would reflect badly on the Dominion and on its friends. There is, in fact, little substance. New Zealand has perhaps acted slowly in the Cook Islands, though Mr Mathison was quick to defend the work of his predecessors and to give an assurance that New Zealand will continue to make every possible improvement But it was only last year that the Cook Islands Act of 1915 was substantially amended to provide an enlarged Legislative Assembly with an elected majority and increased authority. Last, year too, a survey by the Medical Research Council drew attention to squalid housing, the high infant mortality rate and dirt diseases on the islands. In addition, an investigator for the New Zealand Clothing Trades Union returned from the islands with charges of low wages and sweated conditions in the only clothing factory, though it was clear that one of the 'main burdens of his complaint was “unfair” competition for New Zealand clothing trade workers. If comparable wage rates were paid, the Rarotonga factory would be

forced out of business, with the loss of a very useful diversification of the islands’ agricultural economy. Though it is true that the workers are not covered by workers’ compensation nor by the Factories Act, they have their own union and there are adequate arrangements for the settlement of disputes, of which there have been none. Nor was there evidence of exploitation, the investigator conceding that he found the girls singing at their work. As Mr Mathison will find, for this is one complaint he must investigate, it would be foolish indeed to force 100 persons out of work by making their wages comparable with those paid to New Zealand workers.

The other complaints have been answered, partly at least, by the establishment of a comprehensive Government-financed housing scheme and the improvement of infant and maternity services; but, if faults in administration are discovered, they should be remedied quickly. Another useful subject for investigation is the proposal to establish a quick-freeze processing plant to handle all the islands’ produce, which was recommended last year by a New Zealand cannery firm. This, together with the promised replacement of the Maui Pomare, should go a long way towards making the most effective use of the islands’ resources, and thus towards making the islanders economically selfreliant and independent. This has been the aim of successive Governments. If Mr Mathison’s visit can assist in achieving it, it will be worth while.