A—3

The Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1946, under which these Island Councils were reconstituted, also provided for a Legislative Council of the Cook Islands. This body is comprised of ten unofficial members elected by the Island Councils and ten official members selected from the Cook Islands Public Service and appointed by the Governor-General. The Council is presided over by the Resident Commissioner, ,who has a casting but not a deliberative vote. Following the prescribed elections and official appointments, the second session of the Legislative Council commenced on the 4th November, 1948. Mr. A. G. Osborne, M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Secretary of Island Territories, attended the session as the representative of the New Zealand Government. The session, which continued until the 30th November, was very successful, and many useful and constructive recommendations were made. A notable feature was the active part taken by the unofficial members both in general debate and in submitting proposals for the general welfare of their islands. Two Ordinances, the Manufacture and Sale of Food Ordinance 1948 and the Building Ordinance 1948, were passed. The establishment of the Council is universally regarded as marking an important stage in the political development of the islands. Laws affecting the Cook Islands are made by Act of New Zealand Parliament or by Orders in Council and regulations issued thereunder. Ordinances applicable to the whole of the Cook Islands may be made by the Legislative Council of the Cook Islands, subject to certain statutory restrictions. These Ordinances require the assent of the Resident Commissioner, and may be disallowed in whole or part by the Governor-General within one year from the date of assent of the Resident Commissioner. Ordinances restricted to particular islands may be passed by the Island Councils concerned, and these require the assent of the Resident Commissioner, or they may be reserved for the signification of the Governor-General's pleasure. The following legislation affecting the Cook Islands has been enacted since the date of the last report:— In New Zealand : The Cook Islands Maintenance Enforcement Regulations 1948. The Cook Islands Exchange Control Regulations 1948. The Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1948. The Cook Islands Amendment Act (No. 2), 1948. The Cook Islands Council Regulations 1946, Amendment No. 1. The Cook Islands Legislative Council Regulations 1947, Amendment No. 1, The British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act, 1948. The Civil Aviation Act, 1948. In the CooJc Islands : Ordinances enacted by the Legislative Council. The Manufacture and Sale of Food Ordinance 1948. The Building Ordinance 1948. Atiu Ordinance No. 7 : The Planting of Land Ordinance 1949. South Pacific Commission Members of the Research Council of the South Pacific Commission made a short visit to Rarotonga in March to meet the Administration officers and the residents of Rarotonga. The research requirements for the area were discussed for submission to the Commission at its meeting in May, 1949.

6