MR COATES AT RAROTONGA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19906, 28 September 1926, Page 10

MR COATES AT RAROTONGA.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. OUR ISLAND TERRITORIES. DOMINION’S SUCCESSFUL CONTROL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 27. After an enthusiastic welcome at Rarotonga, while en route to San Francisco, the Aon. J. G. Coates referred to the loyalty of the natives to Great Britain, saying: “I would like to pay a tribute to the practical manner in which your loyalty was expressed in the eager response which w U made by this far off portion of the King’s dominions when the Empire was in dire peril. In those dark days of the Great War the patriotic action taken by your people, along with that of your,brother of the Maori race in New Zealand', was a striking testimony of the loyal instincts which inspire you both, and will never be forgotten. You have recently had the honour of a personal visit to Rarotonga and other portions of the group of his Majesty's representative, Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor-General of New Zealand and its island territories. It was with great pleasure that, on his return to the Dominion, he placed upon record his satisfaction at the marked progress which the islands are making, the improved conditions under which their people are living and working, and also his of the efficient manner in which the administrative staff is carrying out the important duties that are entrusted to it. May I say that the Government, of which I atn privileged to be the present head, and particularly the Minister in charge of the Cook and other Islands—l refer, of course, to my colleague, the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare, who has since 1912 done so much good work on your be-half-are proud to have under their jurisdiction such a fine race as inhabit these islands. You have my assurance on behalf of the Government that it will always be our aim and object, a* it is our duty, to do everything possible to promote the happiness and prosperity of this portion of _ our Dominion. Sir Maui Pomare has administered these islands for a Jong tin.e. At any rate, as far as my colleagues and myself are concerned we shall do all in our power to keep him as Minister in charge, and I can assure you w 9 are always ready to Help and assist you and the islands generally to safeguard the health of its inhabitants, to extend the benefits of education among the people, to teach them industry, trade, and art, and to give facilities for increasing the volume of commerce to and from the group. These are the planks which stand pre-eminent in our policy in connection with the government of those island territories. Our plan also provides for teaching the native people to take a practical part in the work of government. “The material progress of the group since 1900, when the islands wore formally annexed to New Zealand, is shown by the following figures:—Total trade, 1900, £38,844; 1915, £128,547; 1925, £282,548. A much greater increase may be looked for when more suitable shipping facilities are provided for transporting the valuable and prolific fruit crops of the islands to the Dominion markets. It is true that as a result of recent representations arrangements have been made for space for 10,000 cases on the mail steamers to New Zealand being reserved for _ this, purpose, and we hope to increase this still further during normal seasons. There is, I believe, much room for improvement in the cargo services. These have been largely maintained in the past by slow and unsuitable vessels for fruit carrying, and it is the intention of the " Government to look carefully into this matter with a view to bringing about better services.” Mr Coates then referred to the good work done in experimental agricultural nursery, and added that the Government was anxious to provide facilities that would result in a more extensive production of fruit, which was such an important item in the export trade of the Islands. "The health of any community,” he said, “ia. of primary importance to its well-being, and I feel sure that the inhabitants of these beautiful islands will appreciate the efforts that are being made on their behalf to stamp out diseases peculiar to tropical countries, and to this part of the world in particular, which in past years have enacted such a heavy toll of human life. I want you to believe that the administration of these picturesque and fertile island territories by the New Zealand Government has been, and is, based on the traditional British principles of justice, fairplay, equality of treatment, and opportunity for our Maori and white citizens alike. Our policy may bo truly said to be disinterested, and has been formed to promote the mental, physical, and material well-being of the native inhabitants. We can claim without fear of contradiction that the Dominion has justified the trust reposed in her. To-day we see the happy result. The native population of our territories are not only holding their own, but are actually increasing in numbers, even under the strenuous conditions of the modern world.” , _ . Subsequent to the reception the Prime Minister was formally presented to the members of the Council, and he also, attended a garden party at Ngatipa, the residence of the Commissioner, at which some 250 guests, including practically all the European residents and principal natives were present, ■ and were personally introduced to Mr and Mrs Coates.