THE COOK ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16796, 12 March 1918, Page 6

THE COOK ISLANDS.

POLICY OP DEVELOPMENT. [NT TELEGRAPH.—OWN' CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Very successful progress is being made in agricultural development in the Cook Islands. The Hon. Dr. Pomaro, Minister in Charge of tho Islands, states that the natives are being provided with practical instruction in agriculture. The Cook Islands have been supplying New Zealand | with its winter tomatoes for some time past, and. granted a bettor shipping service, the supply of winter vegetables and other produce from the islands to the Dominion should, in the near future, do much to reduce tho cost of lining. Bananas are now being fully cultivated, and a greatly improved fruit has resulted. With the object of encouraging tho cultivation of the land, Dr. Pomaro has mado it compulsory that each resident shall plant a certain number of cocoanuts every year. An experimental farm started by Dr. Pomaro has achieved very satisfactory results. Forty acres of mos'-quito-infested swamp were drained here, and there is now a splendidly cultivated and highly productive area of land. The Minister stated that four schools have been erected, with 700 scholars. Tho natives provide the land for the schools, and the Government erects the buildings and provides the furniture. One of the most recent steps in the development of the Cook Islands is the installation of a wireless plant, All the. islands are to be linked together by this system.