COOK ISLANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 8

COOK ISLANDS

COMMISSIONER ARRIVES. EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION. [ Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. Interviewed on his arrival from Rarotonga to-day by the Makurn, Judge A. F. Ayson, Resident Commissioner, said that the Cook Islands had been hard hit by the depression and conditions were still causing some anxiety. The bottom had fallen completely out of the copra market in the past four years, and the price xvas still unpayable to both producers and trading firms. It was problematical whether the recent small advance in the price in London would be maintained. If the embargo on Australian fruit enter ing New Zealand xvas not, removed, it was hoped to receive pax’able prices this season for Cook Island oranges. The prospect had encouraged considerable expenditure in scientific cultixation of the plantations. Good progress continued to he made regarding educational matters and there were now upwards of 2500 pupils in 25 schools throughout the group. Tropical diseases xvere now under control and the general health of tho natives had greatly improved since Now Zealand had assumed responsibility for the group.