THE COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2269, 1 October 1914, Page 7

THE COOK ISLANDS.

ANEW STATUTE BOOK. The Hon. Dr. POMARE, Minister in Chai'go of tho Cook Islands, moved the second reading of tho Cook Islands Bill. Ho explained that the Bill in effect provided a neiy constitution, and a now Statute Book for tho Islands, removing certain anomalies, and bringing the Cook Islands law into conformity with tho New Zealand. Ono of tho most important now provisions in the Bill was that concerning the eduoation of the natives. Nothing had been done in the past to educate tho natives there. Schools were by the missibners, but no single native in those schools could talk the King's English. SIR JOSEPH WARD (Awariia), in tho course of general adverse criticism, said that tho worst proposal in the Bill was that which proposed to abolish trial by jury in tho Islands. Dr. l'omaro: Not at all. _ _ j»i»; j, Ward: TJhere is provision for

trial by assessors, which is quite a different thing. Dr. Pomaro: It is the same thing. Sir Joseph Ward complained that members had no opportunity to understanding all the provisions m the Bill, And he contended that because it was such a big Bill, members should have been supplied with a memorandum setting forth tho new provisions in the Bill. He declared, also, that thfe Bill ought to liavo been referred to tho Statutes Revision Committee. The Hon. A. L. lIERDMAN (Attor-ney-General) said tho complaint of the Leader of the Opposition was groundless, becauso the Bill had been m tho hands of members for seven days. Instead of criticising tho Bill with the object of pointing out defccts in it, tho Leader of tho Opposition had devoted all his time to a long complaint. The Bill, in fact, was a monumental measure, and it had had the careful 'consideration of the Government for many weeks. When mexnbers had nad sift opportunity of fully" considering the Bill, tihoy would come to tho conclusion that it was a very excellent measure., Mr. A. H. HINDMARSH (Wellington South) "said that from what ho had seen . of the Bill thero seemed to be no provision for appeal to the Supreme Court of New Zealand respecting criminal offences. There was such provision in the matter of claims for over £100, and if thero was provision for appeal m the matter of debt, tliers should be similar provision where liberty was concerned. Mr A. 12.' GLOVER (Auckland Central) said that although there were over 12,000 natives in the Islands, they had no representation. .Where there was no representation there should be no taxation. ' - When the House resumed at 7.dU, The Right Hon. W- F. MASSEY announced that he proposed to ask the House to adjourn as a mark of respect to the late Hon. T. Fergus, whose deatlvi had occurred ;that day, and lie suggested that the debate on the second reading of tho Bill should be interrupted and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Tin's arrangement was agreed to, and tho Bill was referred to a committee accordingly. The House rose at 7.50-p.m. as a mark of respect to tho late Hon. T. Fergus. ■