TRADE AND FINANCE

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 9

TRADE AND FINANCE

AN ANXIOUS PERIOD

THE FRUIT MARKET

"Like all other places, the Cook Islands have been' hard hit by the trade and ■ financial depression, and these conditions are still causing some anxiety," said Judge H. F. Ayson, resident Commissioner at Rarotonga, in the ■ course of an interview . with a "Post" representative on his arrival today by the Makura.

For' the year ended December 31 last, said Judge Ayson, there was a further drop in: exports and imports compared with the previous year, and the comparison between 1934 and 1930 showed a drop of £92,150 in the total trade, ' namely, from £212;906 .to £120,756. The figures were:—l93o: Imports, £103,468; exports, £109,438; 1934: Imports, £61,449; exports, £59,307. A further comparison showed that in 1920 the total trade was £272,608; in 1925, £282,548; .1930, £212,906; 1932, £136,994; 1933, £150,699; 1934, £120,756. . Copra was* one of the islands' main exports, and in the'last four years the bottom had completely fallen out. of the market. From January 7 to January 21 of this year the price of copra in London advanced from £9 5s per ton to £12. Although exchange enhanced the price 25 per cent., it was still unpayable to both producers and trading firms, taking into account freight and other charges. Freight from the Cook Islands to London was extremely heavy, being £5, plus exchange 25 per cent., or a total of. £6 ss. It was also - very problematical whether -this small advance in price would be maintained. - FRUIT PRODUCTION. "I should perhaps mention," con.tinued Judge Ayson, "that the Cook Islands are divided into two groups: firstly, .the Lower Group consisting of Rarotonga and six other inhabited islands; and secondly, the northern group consisting of five inhabited islands, which are atolls and therefore non-fruit producing. Rarotonga and the lower' group islands export oranges, bananas, and tomatpes. If the embargo on Australian fruit is not removed we are hoping ' for ' payable prices this ' season for oranges. This encourage-' ment has.induced growers to expend a, considerable amount of money' and work in the .scientific' cultivation of citrus: plantations.

*As to bananas, the present position is that the producing territories, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, and Niue, ,are producing more fruit than can be absorbed by the New Zealand market. We! are. hoping^ however, that-.increas-ing prosperity in New Zealand will -lead to' greater consumption of fruit. Cook Islands produce excellent tomatoes, which are put on the market during the off season'in New Zealand. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. | ' "Good progress continues to be' made in regard to educational matter*,, and there are now upwards of 2500 I pupils receiving instruction in 25 j schools throughout the group.l English | and agriculture are made special features. Already we have trained native teachers, nurses, wireless operators, ■clerks,'etc.1 "'•Two native students sent to the' Fiji Medical School have com pleted their ; courses, of -training as native medical practitioners and are now assisting in medical work in the group. Another student is in his last year .at Suva,, whilst this year two boys who matriculated at Te Aute College are proceeding to Fiji for medical, training.

"Medical :'.' work is an . important feature*'of the' administration's activities. Tropical diseases are now under ■control, 'and the-general;healtlv,of the natives has greatly improved since New Zealand took over the responsibility of the islands. Statistics show a marked natural increase in population .during the last 15.years, and the Cook Islands (excluding Niue) now have a population approaching 12,000, .of , which 5000 are in Rarotonga. Rarotonga has a well-equipped hospital at which an up-to-date X-ray plant has recently been-installed. Wireless services have been extended, and now all Lower Group Islands have been link-: ed up with Rarotonga and the outside world ,-by radio. ' "Rarotonga is reputed to be one of the most beautiful-tropical islands in the'world,- and enjoys a splendid climate from April to November, when the temperature is only little warmer than-a New Zealand summer. It is becoming -increasingly :. popular with tourists, as shown by ' the fact that vessels making world cruises now regularly call at Rarotonga. - ' TENNIS ALMOST A CKAZE. "Sport continues to play an important part in the daily lives of the Rarotongans and Lower Group people. There is a sports association governing and encouraging Rugby football, cricket, tennis, boxing, and athletic sports, and competitions are run as in New Zealand and have now reached j the stage when all the Lower Group' Islands are in keen competition. At present, tennis has almost reached a craze with the native people."