WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16609, 5 December 1919, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE COOK ISLANDS. NEGLECT OF DEVELOPMENT, fix IBLEOBAPH.—OWN COBHK3PONDENI. WELLINGTON, Deo. 4. Colonel Corrigan, wno has just returned from a trip to England, comments on the energetic way in winch America is developing her Pacific possessions. . . “Coming to the Cook Islands it is the current belief that New Zealand has not made any success with tue task she has set herself in developing these, and the appearance at Rarotonga certainly supports this view. A splendid attempt is evidently being made to educate the Natives. The New Zealand resident Commissioner has his whole heart in that work, and what he can do he does well. It would appear, however, that the value of tlie Cook Isiaads_as a health resort for New Zealand, and as offering an opportunity for industrial development .is not realised.

“The question may he asked-; ‘What about a few hundred or so returned soldiers for, the Cook Islands who require a less rigorous climate than "New Zealand affords?’

“There is evidently a very great opportunity for profitable investment in providing and carrying on_ tourist accommodation on American lines for the holiday-seeker and business man and their families. Further, there is an undoubted opportunity for the ex-' pansion of the trade in Island products. Residents with whom I conversed stressed this view, and expressed their opinion that the Islands would have fared better as a Crown colony than under New Zealand administration. With the latter I hardly concur, but it Ts certainly apparent that New Zealand has not developed the Cook Islands even on a considerable scale, not to speak of the progressive policy which is so evident in American administration of her colonies.” EXCURSION TICKETS. It is announced that the issue of holiday excursion tickets on the railways will be resumed on December 18. On the same date concessions will bo reinstated for schools, factories, friendly societies, sports bodies, judges at agricultural shows, and delegates attending meetings of religious bodies. Particulars of the excursions and concessions will shortly be made public.