COOK ISLANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 20 July 1929, Page 12

COOK ISLANDS

PROGRESSIVE POLICY (By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Bill. July. In im introductory memorandum lo tlie aimual report on the Cook Islands, tlie Minister in Charge, Sir A. T. Ngata, says: — "It is perhaps not generally realised tl;at the Cook Group eontains fourteen inhabited islands widely dispersed over 1350,000 square miles of ocean. With the exception of llarotonga and Niue, communication between these islands is irregular and infrequent, and there is no sea communication whatever during the hurricane season-—December Lo April. The medical needs of the Group are met by only three medical officers and the nursing staffs. The general health of the people is good. The natural increase per 1000 of mean population during the year was 13.3, and the average increase over the past six years was 11.16 per 1000. The education system is extended throughout the group; in tlie most outlying islands tlie teaching is undertaken by native pastors of the London Missionary Society, under the supervision of tlie Superintendent of Schools. “The cost of policing the whole group! is less (hail £2OOO per annum, and that with a remarkable freedom from serious crime. “Radio stations are gradually being creeled, and the Island of Mauke lias recently been placed in wireless communication with the outer world. Radio stations have been erected at Rarotonga, Niue. Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, and Mauke. and as funds permit these will be extended to' the most northerly island of Penrhyn. If any of the northern is- 1 lands are productive of little revenue, and are subject to periodical droughts and devastating hurricanes. Progress is therefore necessarily slow unless recourse is had lo the consolidated funds, but i his is avoided as far as possible. Tn accordance with the policy followed

bv the Administration, in encouraging tlie natives .to plant ample foodstuffs for their own requirements, the past year lias been one of plenty on all of those islands which are fertile. Lack of shipping;, however, prevents the export of largo quantities of valuable fruit to New Zealand from Die lower group. The service inaugurated by Government vessels has overcome this difficulty so far as Niue is concerned, and a. considerable banana industry is now established between Unit island and New Zealand.” The detailed report, states the Minister. discloses a satisfactory state of affairs throughout tlie group.