A.—3

2

MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands Department, Wellington, 27th June, 1917. The annual reports of the Resident Commissioners, of Rarotonga and Niuo, are attached hereto. Prom the reports of the Commissioners it will be seen that the conditions in the Islands have been much more favourable than those for the two previous years, and that trade and revenue has been fairly well maintained in spite of the drawbacks due to the lack of adequate shipping facilities. The maintaining of adequate steamer connection with the Islands in order to preserve the trade with New Zealand is of the utmost importance, and any curtailment of the present service would be a serious blow to the prosperity of the Islands. Educational matters are being well looked after, and additional facilities will be afforded as finances permit, particularly in Nine and in some of the outlying islands, where there is- much yet to be done. I wish also to make particular reference to the answer to the call of Empire made by the people of the Cook Islands and of Niue in the present great war. The members of the Niuean contingent, through adverse climatic conditions, had to be returned to their homes, but not without having first done valuable work on garrison duty in Egypt and afterwards on active service in France. The Rarotongans, having proved themselves more fitted to stand the climate, are still bravely playing their part on the western front and in Palestine. The splendid manner in which the people of the Islands have responded in the present crisis is deserving of the highest commendation, and is one of which I am sure all true Britishers are proud, and their display of patriotism also furnishes further and unique evidence of the wonderful unity and loyalty of the greatest Empire the world has ever seen. M. Pomace, Minister for the Cook Islands.