THE COOK GROUP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1858, 18 September 1913, Page 8

THE COOK GROUP.

JUDGE M'CORMACK'S REPORT.

ISLAND CONDITIONS,

Some interesting oomments upon tlio condition and 1 prospects of tho Cook Islands are contained in a report 1 by Judge MacCbrmack, of the Nativo Land Court, which was circulated in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday. Judge MaoCormaok returned to New Zealand at the beginning of this year, after filling for eleven months tho position of Acting-Resident Commissioner of tho Cook Islands, but the report which ho furnished to the Government at.tho conclusion of his administration of tho Islands has not 'hitherto been 'tnado public. | In tho course of his report, Judge MacCormaok states that the revemi'e of the Islands is already strained to breaking point, and he recommends an increase of direct taxation as the only feasible method of increasing the revenue. The great future asset of tie group, ho_ considers, will .be copra, tat difficulty is experienced in inducing the ■Natives to plant coconut trees. Tho cost of systematic and' organised attention to the health, morals, and education of'the people of the Islands, he continues, will liave to bo mainly borne by New Zealand, and this cost wiili be no_ light matter. The Cook Islands fruit producers, in his opinion, are discriminated against as compared with producers in Now Zealand proper. Cook Islands fruit-growers have no such tariff protection as people engaged in similar pursuits within tho Dominion enjoy.' Regarding tho importation and' sale of liquor, Judge MaoCormaok remarks that he agrees with the Collector Of Customs at Rarotonga (Mr. _. Stevenson) that little d'Hinkenness _is caused by imported liquor, especially among Natives. Of 85 convictions for drunkenness during six months, only one case, that of a European, was found to bo caused by imported liquor. "It appears to mo," he adds / "that the present method of control is' quite sufficient to prevent tho a,buse of liquor if care and. vigilaneo be oxeroised."

As to bush-beer drinking, which is separately reported upon, Judge MacCormack expresses the opinion that it is not increasing. If bush beer drinking can be put down, Judge MacCormaek remarks, it will bo necessary to make the offence punishable by imprisonment without the (option of a fine, and to have at least four white policemen, one for each main settlement, five miles apart. Tho 1 constables must be mounted men.

Smuggling of liquor into Rarotonga. the roport states, cannot. be carried on to any extent, as strict precautions aro observed.

As to whether it would be possible to prohibit the engagement of labour for tho vessels of tho Union Company's fleet, Judge MacCormack remarks that it would no doubt be desirable to do so as it seriously depletes the supply of labour for tho local plantations and shipping work, and also has an injurious effect on tho health and morals of the men taken away to Tahiti and elsewhere. ''Fifty or sixty able-bodied men are practically continuously absent from Rarotonga. It is possible, but not, I think, practicable, to prohibit it altogether; l It could bo done so far as the mail-boats are concerned, and that is whore tho chief mischief occurs."

The Native people aro in the highest degree law-abiding and orderly, the report continues. The place is very far, from being a hotbed of drink or disorder, Judge M'C«,rmack deals at length with tho land (piestion in tho islands, nnd other subjects. ■As to education, ho urges that a report by an expert should bo obtained, as if tho Government is to undertake the education of the children of all these islands it will be a very costly undertaking, and every care should be taken at tho outset tp establish a system on tho best lines. Tho educational work has . been almost carried oil by the London Missionary Society. There are, however, two Roman Catholic schools—one in E&rotonga and one in, Aitutaki—conducted by nuns belonging to a French order. There aro also Roman Catholic day schools conducted by French priests at two or three of the islands.

In concluding his report, Judge M'Cormack remarks: "My observation ana-experience during my residence of over seven months in these islands can only lead me to say that, while there must necessarily he room for difference of opinion on details of administration, the general result shows that valuable work has been done, and is being done, for the health and prosperity of the community, and that there is no serious cause for complaint."