COLONEL GUDGEON AND THE COOK ISLANDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13870, 2 October 1908, Page 8

COLONEL GUDGEON AND THE COOK ISLANDERS.

Sir, havo- waited, ever _ hoping . that someone of influence (Mr. Louis Bccke, perhaps, now at Rotorua) would write you and say that this is not so—l refer to the statement made by Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon, reported in last Saturday's Herald, as to tho native of the Cook Islands being " a selfindulgent beast .. ." In tho name of humanity, as well as in tlio name of those who havo boon so coarsely maligned, I would like (as ono knowing of what I -write) to publicly repudiate this statement. I feel quite sure it is not tho wish of the Government of New Zealand, equally sure am lit-is not the wish of our King, that the administrator of any country under the protection of tho British flag should openly dorido those over whom ho is sent to rule. Led to pass tho law in the time of my father, English has been taught in tho schools now for many years past, and I well know how the : ;chiefs and their people, will meet together in the different villages to talk and "tangi" over this, and how hurt and ashamed they will be at what has been written, for that they will hear it and read it there can bo no doubt. Was it to bo so styled that these natives in trust sent representatives to this country some years ago to ask that they be given a protectorate under Great Britain? In my earnest desire to.repudiate this vulgar slight, thrown upon a race in whom there is much to admire, and amongst whom I should havo thought it impossible for anyone to dwell for, a length of time without fooling genuine affection, I do not hesitate to bring myself forward thus, and in the sense of championing their cause beg to sign myself. Ayr E. Moss. October 1.