COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1885, 20 October 1913, Page 11

COOK ISLANDS.

METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION. Tlio C'ook Islands Government Amendment Bilij wliich has been'-introduced into the Btfuso of Keprosontativoß by tlio Hon. Dr. I'omaro, proposes some important changes in tlio internal administration of tlie Cook. Islands. Tho Bill providos / first for. the appointment of " somo'fit person of tlio Public Service of New Zealand" tp bo Deputy-Resident Commissioner in tho Oook Islands, who shall act as commissioner while tho Resident Commissioner is absent from the Islands, or incapacitated by illness. The Bill also defines and alters tho constitution of tlio Federal Council for tlio Oook Islands, A body with tSiis titlo was legally set up ill 1903, but it was disestablished in 1904. Siwo that- time the persons then forming thq Federal Council, with other persons, have been meeting as a Federal Council and liavo passed certain Acts and ordinances. These liavo no doubt been good enactments, and it is proposed now to validate all the Acts or tho Council, and to allow tho Council to remain in office until a now Council is set up under the Constitution provided for in the Bill. The Bill goes on to propose that on and aftor a day to be fixed by tie Governor by proclamation the Federal Council shall consist of tho following members:—Tho Resident Commissioner, the five Arikis of Rarotonga, threo native residents of Rarotonga representing the districts of Takitumu, Avarua, and Arorangi, -and ! four native residents representing the various other islands of the group. At all meetings the Resident Commissioner sliall preside, It is provided that in tlje exercise of tlio powers- conferred, on it tlio 1 Federal Council may make ordinances imposing penalties for, and- otherwise restricting tho 'manufacture, sale, or con-sumption of bush beer, orango boor, or any other intoxicating liquor, but the Council will not bo permitted to reduce any penalties proscribed ill that part of the Licensing Act, 1305, relating to the Oook Islands. It is also proposed that an offondor sontenced to imprisonment for a term exceeding tlirco months for an offence committed in the Islands may be deported to New Zealand, and iirearcerat- ' ed there for the period of his sentence.