"A GOOD FATHER."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16921, 30 December 1925, Page 11

"A GOOD FATHER."

GOVERNMENT AND COOK ISLANDS. CONFIDENCE AMONG THE PEOPLE. HEALTH CONDITIONS IMPROVING. '' At last the people of the Cook Is- • lands are becoming convinced that they are an object of interest and concern of the New Zealand Government. For a long time there was a doubt, both among the whites and natives, as to whether they were considered as something useful-—merely a market with which to trade—or really as a part of New Zealand. Now, however, there is :i growing conviction that the New Zealand Government is going to make a good father." This is the considered and expressed opinion of Mr. W. Meßirncy, for 20 years a planter and trader at fho Cook Islands, and -who is at present in Wellington on holiday. In chatting to a N.Z. Times' reporter, Mr. McBirney ventured the assurance that Mr. Arson's regime at the Islands had made a great difference in the administration, and living conditions there.. were pleasant. Much was due to the election of a white representative, on the council, who saw to the various requirements, without having to go through a lot of official formalities. Great strides were being made in education, and while the book learning showed room for improvement in manv respects, the development of the physical was undertaken seriously, and the natives were being trained in a very efficient manner. PIG lITING HOOK WOK M. Until recently domestic friction had been occasioned iu respect to the health conditions there, but this appeared to be at an end. Some time ago Dr. Lambert, of the Rockefeller Institute, visited Raratonga, and found the place chock full of hookworm. He immediately attacked the disease, and as it was one that could be cured with comparative ease, excellent progress was made, and it was anticipated that by -1027 the Islands would be completely free of if. The effects of Dr. Lambert's presence had been extremely beneficial, and had been enhanced by the assistance of a Fijian native, who, having been (rained in the work, inspired the natives themselves with confidence. As the result of improved conditions, the spread of elephantiasis was being prevented in a large degree. For the lepers, too, I here was a brighter outlook, for the. thirty who had been at the Cook Islands, had, been transferred to the new station at'Makogai, where the Sisters were looking after tncni and giving them the best of treatment. The roads at the Islands were in splendid condition, continued. Mr. 'MeBirncy, "But," he concluded, "emphasise the fact that we badly want a steam roller —and I don 't think we have the funds ourselves to get it."