THE COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1296, 27 November 1911, Page 5

THE COOK ISLANDS.

SPEECH BY MR. REYNOLDS. At the conclusion of Mr. Wright's political address nt Wilson Street, Newtown, on Saturday night.. Mr. \Y. K. Reynolds, ox-inspector of nolice :>t the Cook Islands, spoke on the position of uflairs in Hhc Islands. He Rave a detailed account of the appointment of the Resident Commissioner to Uko charge of affairs there, and severely condemned, not only the administration of the Islands, but the Government as well. He gave llio hislorv of the difficulties which both Europeans" and Natives are labouring under, aud also referred to what he termed (he abortive inquiry held by the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, at the instigation of Iho Government. H was, he said, a complete farce. The inquiry was held with closed doors, and the principal wilnescs refused to give evidence, because, the oaih was not administered. Yet a report had been sent to Parliament stating that everything was in Rood condition. Mr Reynolds's remarks wcro listened to with close attention, aud ho was asked several questions.