THE COOK ISLANDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 107, 28 June 1911, Page 7

THE COOK ISLANDS.

Frequently, during many months past, charges have been brought against the administration of the Cook Islands, and those, as everyone knows, culminated in an enquiry being ordered by the authorities, and in tlie Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, leaving New Zealand for Rafatoilga to make investigations. He had first, to roUear a shooting case, in which a white man named Wigmoro was implicated ; and, second, he had to fully inquire into charges against the administration of the Islands, brought by Dr Rupert Hosking, Dr Dawson, an ox-police inspector named Reynolds, and others. A special representative of the Dominion accompanied the Chief Justice’s party to'the Islands, and he reports a somewhat remarkable state of affairs. There can bo no doubt, according to him, that grave dissatisfaction exists among a certain section of the white people there and the latter seem to lie in a position to formulate more of loss serious charges against the administration. But when the inquiry camo to l>o discussed by Sir Robert Stout and the complainants, the former announced that his investigation of their charges was to ho made in camera. Upon this, Drs Hosking and Dawson declined absolutely to proceed with their charges, each demanding a public inquiry. Kx-i nspoetor Reynolds luu:, very unwillingly, agreed to permit ins case to ho heard in camera, because it is almost wholly a Departmental matter. Latest advices are to the effect that the Wigmoro shooting case is being proceeded with, and that a petition is being circulated demandin'.; a public inquiry into the maladministration charges. On the facts as presented, Sir Robert Stout will find his action more frequently condemned than appluaded. The public is thoroughly tired of this secrecy in cases which, by their very secrecy, cast upon the powers that be a very ugly reflection. No one would question the absolute fairness and impartiality- of Sir Robert Stout, in his judicial capacity; hut wo xloubt whether he is discreet in arbitrarily giving some good reason therefor. And, if wo thought that the Chief Justice gave any thought to the political situation, wo would point out that- these “secret inquiries” he orders chance to be of such a nature as- to do incalculable harm to the party in power.