THE COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1195, 2 August 1911, Page 4

THE COOK ISLANDS.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. REQUEST FOR A ROYAL COMMISSION. NKW APPOINTMENTS ASKED FOB. A petition from Dr. C. M. Dawson, Mr. Rupert V. llosking, and Mr. \V. Revolt Reynolds, all of Rurolonga, was presented in Parliament last night by Mr. M. A. Wright, and was read at his request by the clerk. The prayer of Hie petitioners is as follows :— "(1) That in our opinion the time hos arrived when the Honourable tho House of Representatives of New Zealand should take immediate steps to remove tho prosent Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, Chief Judgo of the High Court of Cook Islands, and Chief Judgo of tho Cook Islands Land Titles Court. "(2) And, further, tlio Resident Commissioner lias in our opinion proved that ho is deficient in tho necessary qualifications for the offices and positions which' ho holds, in that he has shown a. want of tact, dignity, veracity, and justice. Moreover, wo claim that the present Resident Commissioner has clearly demonsh'£.tod his ignorance in legal .matters and the laws that ho has to administer, nnd ho has not attempted to uiako himself familiar with tho language and customs of the natives. "(3) And further, in our opinion, it is advisable that there should bo appointed immediately a fully-qualified successor aa Resident Commissioner, and another official fully qualified to act as Judge of the High Court, Judge of the Land Titles Court, and Magistrate of Rarotonga. "(4) And, further, that wo earnestly desire and pray that, owing to the most unsatisfactory state of affairs at present existent in these Islands in legal, social, and moral matters, a properly-constituted and empowered Commission of Inquiry should bo appointed at an early date to publicly investigate the complaints against the administration of government in these. Islands.. "(5) And, further, that the terms of the appointment of the aforesaid Commissi i of Inquiry be. clearly set forth, ojid lhat all evidence bo taken on oath, which we consider essential owing; to tho gravity cf the charges. "((!) And, furthermore, we d-wsire and pray that tho sittings of the said commission shall be open to the press."