ISLAND TRADE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 51, 1 March 1920, Page 7

ISLAND TRADE

NATIVE CO-OPERATION

ENCOURAGED

WHITE TRADERS OPPOSE COMMISSIONER

AN INQUIRY ASKED FOR.

(BY mCOttAI'I!.'—PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

RAROTONGA, 26th Feb. (delayed). Sir James Allen, replying to the* Ma-j ngaia Island Council, said it was likely that a wireless 'telephone would eventually connect the.islands with Rarotonga.

A canoe, when returning with Sir James .Allen, Sir Heaton Rhodes, and Colonel Tato, sjvamped Noff the reef. A hazardous transfer to' another' canoe was safely accomplished, and all was well.

Deputations to the Parliamentary Party at Rarotonga to-day largely referred to the policy of th-a Administration. The Native Council arid the Native Growers' Association both made grateful acknowledgement of the benefits received under the administration, of Mr. Platts (Resident Commissioner). The planters are hostile 'to what they term the Commissioner's use of his powers to the detriment of their interests, especially<in connection with the formation of an association-of native growers to ship their own produce.. The arikis requested the restoration of their mana by a return to the feudal land control.

Sir James Allen endowed Mr. Platts's action-in-finding for the natives a free market, and promised that, the Government would assist the Commissioner's representations ■to the shipping company for more shipping- and an adequate allot, ment of space. The Government was experimenting with cold storage with a view, to' helping the Island fruit trade. Sir James Allen also stated that arrangements were in progress for the establishment of a local credit bank.

Answering.a member's question, the native growers said the wastage of the fruit crop lust year was owing to th© lack of shipping, and amounted to-three-iiffchs of tho crop. They considered the pooling of their produce -under Government supervision with ' advances by a credit bank, desirable.

A ■European request for representation on the Island Councij was opposed by the natives.

Sir James Allen said that when the Islands were annexed the Government promised them representative institutions. That promise would not be broken. Nevertheless he would be glad if the Council would invite European representation. y' Members asked many questions and much evidence was taken.

Sir James Allen announced that, failing European representation, the Government would appoint an ad-Visory board to assist the Commissioner, thus recognising the European taxpayers' right to a voice in tho administration. A deputation of European traders and planters asked for a commission to in-' quire into the whole question of the administration, They took the strongest exception to a statement by Mr. Platts that there was a ring which controlled prices for copra, .jind denied that they hindered the natives from getting space and cases, or compelled them to sell to the traders rather than consign to, the open market. Mr. Platts confirmed his; statement that a copra ring existed, making large profits, and added that so long as he was Commissioner he believed it to be his duty to break the ring or any other combination operating against the native interests. That was his polidy of administration, i :

Sir Jamee Allen appealed for more friendly relations, and hoped that the proposed advisory board would assist. A traders' representative,. replying, said that they would never.be satisfied without a commission of inquiry."