THE COOK ISLANDS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 2029, 19 September 1913, Page 6

THE COOK ISLANDS.

A PRIVATE REPORT. MR ISITT GETS HIS WAY. Id tbe Rouse on the Estimates Mr Isitt thanked the Ministdi for having supplied hi a with a typewritten copy of Jndge McCormack's report, on the Cook Islands, whiob had been handed to him at the dinner adjournment He could not see, however, that was any thing t'> conceal In the report. Di. Pomare: Nothing " Mr Isitt: "Then, why on earth was not the report presented before?" For weeks, he said, there had been a motion by Mr Hanan on the order paper asking for this report. On Augnst 19 the Prime Minister, in answer to a question by him (Mr Isitt), said "You will have il in a day or two " The report itself was dated November 7, 1912 What was the reason of this usless secrecy? Mr Russell: "Force of habit." (Laoghter).

Mr Isitt expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr Northcroft's appointment, and reiterated his statement during the finanoial debate that Cabinet bad considered some thirty names for the appointment of sergeant of police at the Co k Islands.

Mr Massey: "That's not so." Mr Isitt: "It is so." He alleged that the names of men who had not applied for the position had been considered by Cabinet. The appointment ha ■ been made with the knowledge of Pomare. In regard to bush-beer drinking, the figures proved an excessive number of permits in the hot an '< festive season, and many permits were for whisky. The veriest me .ical tyro knew that alco ol was the worst thing for heat apoplexy It was a wrong thing,'for th« Government to appoint a man with a charge against him for the interval between t : >e arrival of Captain Northcroft and the departure of Sergeant Holmes

Replying tc members, Dr P mare said that Judae McOormack's report was not a statutory report. It was Ta private rep rt furnisbel at his (Dr Pomare's) reqaest. As for busfe-beer drinking, he had nothing to say except that they were doing their best to stop it T>e fines ha > been increased tc the limit, and in a bill which they intended to bring * own, more power would be given to the local administration in respect to this matter.