COOK ISLANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 18 November 1937, Page 13

COOK ISLANDS

MAINTAINING PLANTATIONS | IFrom Om Own Parliamentary Reporter 1 WELLINGTON. 17th November. Criticism by Mr A. S. Richards (Government, Roskill) concerning Ihe treatmenl of fruitgrowers in the Cook Islands by former Governments was emphatically ruled oil! by Ihe Chairman of Committees (Mr K-. -I. Howard), when the External Affairs Vote was before the House of Represcnlatives yesterday afternoon. Mr Richards said that he eongralulated the Government on proviiling I ,(i(i(i for the mianlenance of plantation.'-. In the light of experience Ins opinion was that the Ircatment meted out to planters in past years was such that there was no encouragement to keep their plantations up-to-date ami tremendous loss had resulted to New Zealand owing to the neglect, of past Governments. Mr Howard: That is not in the Estimates. The Rt. Hon. ,1. G. Coates (National, Kaipara): Tell us what has been lost. Mr Richards: This item would not have been necessary in one year if justice had been done in past years. Mr Howard: The lion, gentleman is ( trying to rake up something that occur- 1 red years ago and 1 am not going to permit it under these Estimates. Mr Richards submitted that his point was relevant to the item before the House but was reminded that he must not question the ruling of the Chairman and was asked to resume his seat.