COOK ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1932, Page 3

COOK ISLANDS

HEAVY DECLINE IN TRADE. (By Telegraph-—Per Press Association./ WELLINGTON, May 25.

A review of the admiiiisinatioi. activities lor the year ended Marm. 31, is made- avai.able by tlie Mimste/ of the Cook Islands.

A heavy decline in trade is .recorded. Although Hie export ho Rarotonga showed an excess over imports of £ 10,685, the actual train figures compared with the year 1930 slipjw a- decrease oi £63, i (JO. Ihe total trade was valued at £149,20-) compared with £228,548 in 1925. Tlie heavy reduction in trade is reflected in tlie finances of the group and all except essential woiks haw been suspended with lievay reduction,-, in all services. The lack ol o-xpon facilities has practically depleted soim of tlie islands of money, and the co. lection of native fees was suspended. The population to March 31 tnc year, shows a natural increase ol 1100 in the native population sim tlie census of 1926, and when it is remembered that some years ago the Cook Islanders were regarded as dying race high increase in tlie birtl rate must he viewed with satisfaction. Af Niue, trade has fallen from til average over the previous ten year: of £35,176 to £18,698. Only during tli four years since 1902, have export been less. Following on last year’s disastrous hurricanes and droughts, the rainfall for the year was the lowos on record for twenty-five years, am this lias seriously affected production also the market for native handicraft is now practically nil, having hem ousted by cheap foreign-made articles