PICTURE OF CONDITIONS IN COOK ISLANDS

Chronicle (Levin), 28 May 1946, Page 4

PICTURE OF CONDITIONS IN COOK ISLANDS

-iFress Association

Bv Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, May 2b. After spendiug ten flays In Rarotonga discussing with representatives of ' the^principal Islands, a number oi current questions, Mr. A. G. Osborne, parliamentary under-sec.retary .to the Prime Minister, returned by air today. ; He was accoiupanied by Mr. C. G. R. j MeKay, secretary of the Department *or Island Territories. ' ' Representation in ' the Government was a subject much in the minds of the people at the present time," said Mr. Osborne, "In a unanimous resolution, the Isiands' delegates had asked him to recommend the formation of a Federai or Legislative Council of Cook Islands on a .pai'tly elective basis, and that elective membership should be introduced iuto the present Island Coimcils that have legislative powers in each island. "As revival of citrus planting was aiready well launched," added Mr. Osborne, "there have been considerable 'plantings of new trees in Rarotonga and l the scheme was being extended to other j islands, stiinulated liy a price bonus to all growers who undertalce to tio their share toward greater production. Shipping was one of the main problems of the Cook Islands, and was complicated by the demand for spaee during the orange season, that was not maintained during the remainder of the vear. ' '

Mr. Osborne was able to* tell the people of the Cook Islands that inquiri.es are being made in Britain as to the possibility of providing a larger and more suitable vessel than the Maui Pomare, for this trade. Mr. Osborne said that active steps were in hand to improve hospitals, .harbours and reef passages, education and public utilities in Rarotonga. Tne people seemed bright and happy and he was interested to see so much evidence of a free circulation of money for their material needs. Oranges were now capable of returning over £200 per acre each season. Among ffome of the younger people of Rarotonga itself he jiad observed some feeling of unsettlement which might perhaps find relief in their being able to express them.selves in free eleetions to bodies for local government should such a system be brought into being. "I hope the people of the Cook Islands will move gradually toward the satisfaction of 1ming self-reliant and self-supporting as ' already are the people of our larger de(pendency of Western »Samoa," hc I added.