NIUE ISLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 144, 22 May 1925, Page 6

NIUE ISLAND

A VALUABLE DEPENDENCY. FRUIT IN ABUNDANCE. Par Pre«» Association AUCKLAND, May 21. “The natives of Niue Island are well pleased with the New Zealand administration and are delighted to know that the Government steamer Hineinoa 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 tho islands. Mr Morris, who has completed his term of office at. Niue, was appointed commissioner of the island seven years ago, and has been stationed there continuously, except for a period of 18 months, five years ago, as treasurer at Rarotonga. “The prosperity of Niue depends almost solely on its fruit trade,” said Mr Morris. “The natives are eager for trade and the news of the wreck of the Rama at . Chatham Islands came as a blow to then. The Rama made several trips between Auckland and Niue. However, the decision that the Hineinoa- will enter the service bus reassured them.” The assurance of a regular shipping service would undoubtedly make a wonderful difference to the island, already rich in its growth of tropical fruit. Niue provided anlplc room for extended cultivation. Niue, with its wonderful climate, its rich virgin soil, its intelligent, natives, was indeed u valuable dependency. “The inauguration of a regular shipping service will no doubt encourage greater activity and greater - industry among the natives,” added Mr Morris, “und portions of the island, which are now producing nothing! should soon he under cultivation.” At, the present time there were some 30 miles of good roads on (lie island and the Government was providing motor trucks which should overcome the transport difficulties. In the jiast, ships which came to -Niue for fruit, were required to call at three places, hut in future it was hoped to bring all the fruit to the one place with the aid' of motor trucks. “Fruit is. there in abundance arid the demand is here, and it is only a matter of getting it,” said Mr Morris.

The value of tho wireless recently installed by tho Government was stressed by Mr Morris. Previously Niue was an isolated spot, in (be Pacific, depending for news from the outside world on stray ships which called there. Now tho people were in touch with things. Without wireless, the fruit trade was almost impossible, but now the Niue Islanders know when ships were due and could have the fruit prepared for shipping. Generally speaking, the health of the islanders was excellent, continued Mr Morris. Last year there were 69 -deaths out of a population of 3000. This was the lowest death rate on record.