NIUE ISLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 May 1925, Page 5

NIUE ISLAND.

■ DF.VELOPM EFmP’F TR ADE. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, May 21. “The natives of Niue Island are well pleased with New Zealand’s administration and are delighted to know that the Government steamer Hinemoa will shortly commence regular trips between the Dominion and the island,’’ stated Mr G. Morris, late Resident Commissioner of Niue, who arrived at Auckland by the Navua from the Islands today, Mr Morris, who lias completed his term of office at Niue, was appointed Commissioner of the island eleven years ago, and has been stationed there continuously except' for a period of eighteen months five years ago as treasurer at Rarotonga. . The prosperity of Niue depends almost sole I v on its fruit trade, suit! Morris. The natives are eager for trade and the news of the wreck of the Rama at Chatham Islands came as a Vow. to them. The Rama made several tripe between Auckland and Niue. However, the decision that the Hinemoa will enter the service has reassured them. The assurance of a regular shipping service would undoubtedly make a w underfill difference to the island, already rich in its growth of tropical fruits. Niue provided ample room for extended cultivation. mid with,* its vonderlul climate, its rich virgin soil and its intelligent natives was indeed a valuable dependency. . . The inauguration of a regular shipping service will no doubt encouiage irreator activity and greater industry among the natives, added Mr Morns, and portions of the island which aio now producing nothing should soon be under cultivation. At‘the present time there wore some 30 miles of good roads on the island, and the Government was providing motor trucks which should overcome transport difficulties. In the oast, shins which cnine to Niue for fruit w°re required to call at three places, b»t in future it was hoped to bring all +lie fruit to the one place with the aid of motor trucks. “The fruit is there in abundance, and the demand is here, and : t is onlv a matter of getting it.” said Mr Morris. The value of wireless recently installed bv the Government was stressed bv Mr Morris. Previously Niue was an isolated spot in the Pacific depending for news from the outside world an strav shins which caked there. Now the people were in touch with things. Without wireless, the fruit trade was -finest impossible, but now the Nine Islanders knew when ships were due and could have fruit prepared for shipiiino,. . r - _ iii a ,i Generally speaking,'’the health of wc Venders was excellent, continued Mr Movis Tn the oast year there were 60 dentils' nit of a population of some 3000. This was the lowest death rate on record.