A.-5

1920. NEW ZEALAND.

VISIT OF PARLIAMENTARY PARTY TO PACIFIC ISLANDS, FEBRUARY-MARCH, 1920. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MANGAIA, RAROTONGA, AITUTAKI, NIUE, AND WESTERN SAMOA.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

ITINERARY.—S.S. "MOKOIA."

Mangaia, 25th February, 1920. MEETING WITH THE ISLAND COUNCIL. Present: Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of External Affairs) and members of the Parliamentary Party; Mr. Duncan (Resident Agent); and members of the Island Council. Mr. Duncan, 'the Resident Agent, in welcoming the party, said that they saw the island at an unfortunate moment, as there had been a hurricane on the 22nd January. The salt spray which had been driven inland in great quantities had destroyed the leaves on the fruit-bearing trees. In response to an inquiry by the Minister, a member of the Island Council said that they had no complaints or grievances to lay before the party. The Resident Agent said he would like to draw attention to the want of shipping, which was such a great handicap to the island. At one time there was a monthly steamer service, but at the time of speaking there had been no ship for eight months. The " Flora," which had been on the island run, was too small, and every time she called it had been found necessary to shut out a certain amount of cargo which was offering. Now that the " Talunc " was on the run, however, he hoped that this difficulty would be overcome. He also wished to urge the completion of the proposed passage through the reef. About £1,600 had been spent in blasting a passage, and it had very nearly filled up again. He considered that the completion of this work was of the greatest importance to the prosperity of Mangaia. The chief exports of Mangaia were copra, bananas, oranges, and sometimes coffee. From March to October each year a regular supply of oranges could be kept up, probably amounting to three thousand cases per shipment. The oranges were of the very best quality, and grew from seedlings. They were not free from the fly, but before export were all inspected and properly fumigated. He was of the opinion also that the sugar-cane industry could be made a success in the island.

*l-A. 5,

(All times New Zealand time.) Left Time. Date. Distance. Steamingtime. Arrived. Time. Date. Stay Port. Wellington .. 5.47 p.m. Rarotonga .. 7.25 p.m. Mangaia .. .. 6.50 p.m. Rarotonga .. 6.25 p.m. Aitutaki .. .. 4.17 p.m. Niue .. .. 10.53 p.m. Pago Pago .. 10.20 p.m. Apia . . .. 0.35 a.m. Savaii .. .. 5.10 p.m. Apia .. .. 9.45 p.m. Vavau .. .. 4.20 p.m. Nukualofa, .. 5.11 p.m. Suva .. .. 6.40 p.m. Lautoka . . . . 4 p.m. Suva .. .. 1.30 a.m. Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 13 Mar. 1.5 Mar. 17 Mar. 20 Mar. 22 Miles. 1,800 110 110 145 585 270 80 50 50 350 200 420 152 152 1,150 6| days 10 hours 11J hours 13 hours 50 hours 32J hours 9 hours 6 hours 4 hours 33 hours 16J hours 35J hours 14 hours 14 hours 4J days Rarotonga Mangaia Rarotonga Aitutaki Niue Pago Pago Apia Savaii Apia Vavau Nukualofa Suva Lautoka Suva . . Auckland 2.35 p.m. 5.30 a.m. 6.20 a.m. 7.20 a.m. 6.30 p.m. 7.15 a.m. 7.30 a.m. 6.45 a.m. 9.5 p.m. 6.30 a.m. 8.50 a.m. 4.35 a.m. 8.35 a.m. 5.50 a.m. 7 a.m. Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 26 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 11 Mar. 11 Mar. 13 Mar. 14 Mar. 17 Mar. 18 Mar. 21 Mar. 26 5 hours. 13 hours. 36 hours. 9 hours. 28| hours. 15 hours. 6 days. 10 J hours 40 mins. 10 hours. 32 hours. 13£ hours. 2f days. 19 hours.