AFFAIRS IN THE COOK GROUP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 121, 20 November 1908, Page 7

AFFAIRS IN THE COOK GROUP.

UNREST IN THE NORTHERN ISLANDS. A QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH FBE3S ASSOCIATION^ AUCKLAND, This Day. In connection with the unrest in the northern islands of the Cook group, news by mail states that in Manihiki matters remain fairly quiet, but at Rakohanga rebellious natives have virtually taken possession of the islands and arrogated to themselves its government. On Ist Jidy they hauled down the British flag from the public flagstaff, turned the Island Council out of office, appointed their ringleader goretnor of the island, appointed their own judge and police, and fined those who opposed them. The leader of the revolt was formerly a native teacher attached to the London Missionary Society at Penhryn, who, two years ago, was before the High •Court charged with embezzling church moneys, sentence being deferred to allow him to restore the missing funds. So far as is known he has not done so. The following resolution has been forwarded to the Hon. J. M'Gowan from Rarotonga members of the Federal Council: "That the Rarotonga Island Council whose names are subscribed strongly object to any representation in the Parliament of New Zealand by a member for the Cook Islands. The Cook and Northern Islands are, by the conditions of annexation, a self-governing community under the British Crown, and were since included in the Dominion of New Zealand for Imperial purposes only ; that the said members of the council are of opinion that there should be a European member of the Federal Council elected by the adult male European residents of tho Cook and Northern Islands." It was further resolved that in future arikis be chosen by the unanimous vote of the Island Council, instead of by native custom, the Resident Commissioner to decide any dispute.