COOK ISLANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18661, 13 June 1932, Page 9

COOK ISLANDS.

HEAVY TRADE DECLINE. GROUP PROBLEMS. REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR. A heavy decline in the trade of the Cook Islands Group is recorded in the official review of Hie year ended March 31, 1932, which has been supplied to the Minister for tiie Cook islands (Sir Apirana Ngata). It is stated that in spite of the effects of the depression, which lias been fell severely even in these remote islands, every effort is being made to encourage the natives to live by their own industry. “Although exports from Rarotonga showed an excess over imports of £10,685, tho actual trade figures compared with Hie year 1930 showed a decrease of £63,700,” tho review savs.

“The total trade was valued at £149,205, as compared with £282,543 in 1925. This serious shrinkage of trade is attributed to several causes —• to the extremely low price of copra, which during the year reached the lowest level in the history of the copra trade; to the poor prices realised for fruit in the New Zealand markets; to the dearth of shipping last year lo the outer group, which resulted in the loss of most or tho crops; and to heavy Increases in Imports of both citrus fruits and bananas from outside territories, including foreign imports, against whicii tiie people of the Cook Islands are earnestly seeking some form of protection. ••Tiie heavy reduction in trade is reflected in tiie finances of the group, and ail excepting essential works have been suspended, with heavy reductions in all services. The lack of export facilities has 1 practically depleted some or the islands of money, and Hie collection of native fees had la be suspended. Fortunately the native people are able lo fall back on ihe native foods, and the Administration lias been active in all islands in seeing that ample food supplies have | been planted.

Health of tho Natives. One medical 'Officer only is sitationed at Rarotonga, and his sphere of duty Includes both the lower and upper groups. European nurses are stationed at tho main hospitals in Rarotonga, and also at the islands of Aitutaki and Mangala. Two Cook Island youths completed their course of study at the Central Medical School, Fiji, and returned to assist with the medical work, particularly of the outer group. “Since the last census of 192(5, when the population of tho Cook Islands (excluding Niue) was 10,081, there lias been to March 31, 1932, a natural increase of 1100 in the native population. When it is remembered that some years ago tiie Cook Islanders were regarded as a dying race, the high Increase in the birth rate must be viewed with satisfaction. “No hurricanes or serious storms visited the group during the year, and Aitutaki has made a good recovery from the devastating hurricane of 1931, whicii did severe damage to its food supplies. Nluo Trade Figures, “Tho Niue trade also lias fallen from an average over the previous ton I years of 1)33,170 to 1)18,098. Only

during four years since 1902 have the exports been less than for the year just ended. Following on last year's disastrous hurricanes and droughts in Niue, the rainfall for the year was the lowest during the recorded period of 25 years, and this has seriously affected the production of copra, bananas and other exportable products. Medical Staff’s Work. “One medical officer and one European nurse attend to the medical needs of Niue, with the assistance of a small native staff. As an indication of the extent of their work and the value of the medical services to the islands it may bo mentioned that no fewer than 13,855 cases were attended to during the year, including 12 major operations, in addition to which 176 patients were received into the hospital with an average stay of 13J days. The medical work of the Cook Islands is subsidised by the New Zealand Government. “Quarterly meetings of the Island Council were held. A spirit of loyalty to the Empire and gratitude to New Zealand for its sympathetic adminisi tration of Niue were noticeable fca« tures of these meetings.”