COOK ISLANDERS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 711, 11 December 1933, Page 7

COOK ISLANDERS

MAKE VERY GENEROUS RESPONSE TO N.Z. RELIEF FUND. Visitors to the Cook group invariably carry atway with them a deep impression of the wonderful hospitality and generosity of the Polynesian people of these sunny islands of the Pacific. Those who are privilegcd to delve deeper into their lives know that the Maori people of the Cook group are much devoted to New Zealand, and are proud of their attachment and loyalty to the Crown. Much has heen done through various Vice-'Reigal visits to strengthen the feelings of devotion of the people to New Zealand, and the visit to Rarotonga in April last of Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe is still a pleasurable topic of conversation throughout the group. Their appreciation has found cxpression in a generous response to the Governor-General's relief of distress fund. From time to time over the last six months supplies of typical island foodstuffs, such as taro, bananas, cocoanuts and coffee, have come forward for distribution by the administrators of the fund. The latest consignment includcd six tons of kumeras. Typical of this generous spirit is an incident at the island of Atiu during a recent official visit, when the people, in addition to providing foodstuffs for the fund, donated a roll of tapa cloth. It was explained that Atiu was n poor island, that the people had little to offcr, but that they heard of the visit to Rarotonga of Their Excellencies and of the appeal that was then heing made, and they wished to do something to assist. So they decided to give tapa (nat've cloth made from the bark of wild mulberry) because that was a work upon wbicb tliey could all labour, young and old, male and female; and they had done so. The result was before their eyes, and was offered as a gift from the people of Atiu with a suggestion that it he sold for the benefit of the people of the Dominion in their times of stress. The tapa was an exeeptionally large roll, and must have involved many hours of labour. lOther islands of the group, including Rarotonga, Mangaia and Mauke, have all contributed from their limited resources to the fund— tnot only foodstuffs, but donations in cash. The Maori Girl Guides of Rarotonga have supplied coffee, and the school children have planted considerable areas of kumeras — all in the general desire to assist the fund. The Native people are not alone in their help, for a substantial cheque has been received by the secretary to the trustees of the fund from the European residen'ts of the group.