COOK ISLANDS TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17771, 1 November 1919, Page 10

COOK ISLANDS TRADE

SERIOUS FALLING 'OFF.

INVESTIGATION PROMISED,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 31. The falling off in the volume of trade between New Zealand and the Cook Islands and tho corresponding increase of trade between the United States and the Cook Islands were referred to in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Sir Joseph Ward, who said that the New Zealand trade had diminished very considerably during the last five years, while that between the Islands and America had very largely increased. This applied to both the import and the export trade. " Ho had received communications on this subject from a number of people, who appeared very much concerned about it. From these letters it did not seem as if shipping was the difficulty. Majiy of the vessels trading from from America to these Islands also came on to New Zealand. Since Now Zealand controlled the Islands it was very regrettable that this state of affairs should exist. He suggested the setting up of a commission to investigate the causes.

The Prim© Minister assured the Leader of tho Opposition that the matter had not been forgotten. It had been before the Cabinet within the past few weeks, when it had been decided that at least one man, and possibly two men. should be sent to the Islands to inquire into tho matter. As soon as time permitted the men would be despatched, and the investigation 6et on foot.- There was no doubt that trade was being lost, and that the trado between the Islands and America had increased. One of tho reasons was that copra was wanted in America and was only brought to Now Zealand for re-export. , He felt, however, that a great deal could be done to restore the trade, an*J he would certainly give attention to the matter.

Another question was asked by Dr Thacker, who drew attention to the high prices being charged for fruit from tho Islands. He quoted! figures contained in a letter published in Wellington, declaring that tho return to the grower for fruit in the Islands wag only about 13s 4d a case. Oranges were selling in Wellington at from 3d to 4d each, which' worked out at from 50s to 66s 8d a case. Ho said that oranges and bpnanos. formed a. very important part of the food. of. the "community, and asked that the. Board of Trade should investigate the reasons for the retail prices being so high. The Prime Minister said that at present tho Board of Trade had more work before it than it, could undertake for a whilo. When tho board was, able to do so he would have it inquire into tho matter. . - .