COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1592, 8 November 1912, Page 6

COOK ISLANDS.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. . A RETICENT MINISTER.. Tho Cook Islands were tho subject of i brief, but sometimes animated, debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, ivheu tho Supplementary Estimates wero under review. Mr. J. H. Escott (Pahiatua) asked whether tho Secretary to the Cook Islands Department had l been permanently appointed. Tho Hon. Dr. Pomare said that the Government intended to go. into tho matter of Cook Mauds administration (luring tho recess.' Mr. Escott said that the Government, luring tho recess, 'should not only review tho position of the Secretary in Wellington, but should exhaustively review jeneral conditions at the Cook Islands, particularly in reference to the health of the Natives. Mr. J. B. Hine (Stratford) said that the Minister in. charge ought to give a noro definite statement regarding the posttion of the new official. It appeared unreasonable that a man should bo appointed at a-'salary of iCCOO a, year to act as Secretary to tho Cook Islands Department The Hauso should know what duties attached to the position. Sir J. Ward said that the two hop. members who had just spoken would convey an impression to the world that a now office had been created. This was not so. The administration of the Cook Islands had been carried on. for some time, from the' Wellington end, by the Under-Secretary for Justice. This official had found that it was impossible for him to'coutinuo carrying on the Work. Mr. Witty thanked.Sir Joseph Ward for giving information that had been refused by the Minister, . Dr. To Rangihiroa bore out what. Sir T. Ward had said. The-Under-Secretary for Justice had'reported tliflt ho had determined, not to carry on tho Cook Islands work any longer. The member for Northern Maori added that* the health of the Cook Island Natives had never been better -than during tho last few yeara. Tho Hon. Dr. Pomare said that the worst criticism on this subject came from hon. gentlemen who had never seen the Islands.. Mr. Escott: That is not so.' Dr. Pomare: Have you.ever been there? Mr. Escott: I have information from those who ( are there! Dr. Pomare: Ho has second-olass information and comes to the Houso and makes a song about it. The Cook Island Natives, he continued, were better treated than most of the Natives.in .the South Pacific. Two Government doctors were stationed in the Cook Group, and only is, few days ago a nurse had been sent doss. Mr.. Escott said that the Minister, had accused him of making statements about things he was not acquainted' with. He had not dose.so, Tho Minister had dealt with his Questions . in ,a. very evasivo manner. He had not given direct answers to the questions put; " If the Minister ina.de'any more, remarks such as he' had made that day, Mr. Escott stated formally, he would deal with them in a proper manner. Dr. Newman asked what the, Government intended to do in connection with appointing a Resident Commiskuer.. Br. Pomare: The matter will be gono fully into by the Government during the recess. The appointment of a_ Commissioner for the Islands is a very Important one, and for that reason we are going to look into the matter very carefully before we make an appointment. Dr.. Newman: Are you going to advertise the position.? I. understand that • a number of peoplo Would apply. . "The Prime Minister, said that a, .number of applications were already in hand, but that no selection had yet been made, i particularly good man fed been selected, but had withdrawn at the Seventh hour. He hoped that an '.appointment would bo made within a few days if tor the session came to an end. ■Dr. Newman: Are you open to receive another ■ application ? . ■ ■ Mr. Massey;. Certainly. ■ This terminated the discussion.