TRADE OF COOK ISLANDS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 25 May 1932, Page 9

TRADE OF COOK ISLANDS

BIG FALL FOR THE' YEAR, native; fees suspended. (By. Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 14. A review of the administration activities for the year ended on March 31 is made available by the Minister for Cook Islands, Sir Apirana Ngata. A heavy decline in trade ,is recorded. Although exports from Rarotonga showed an excess over imports of £10685, the actual trade figures compared with the year 1930 show a decrease of £63,700. The total trade was valued at £149,205, compared with £282,548 in 1925. The heavy reduction in trade is. reflected in the finances of the grou’p and all except essential works have been suspended with heavy reductions in all services. Lack of export facilities has practically depleted some of the islands of money and the collection of native fees has been suspended. “The population to March 31 of this year shows a natural increase of 1100 in the native population since the census of 1926 and when it is remembered that some years ago Cook Islanders were regarded as a dying race the high increase in the birth rate must be viewed with satisfaction,” continues the review. “Niue trade lias fallen from the average over the previous ten years of £35,176 to £18.698. Only during four years since 1902 have exports been less.

“Following on last year’s disastrous hurricanes and droughts the rainfall for the year was the lowest on record for 25 years and this has seriously affected production; also the market for native handicrafts is now practically nil, having been ousted by cheap foreign-made articles.