The Cook Islands

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 106, 26 July 1927, Page 2

The Cook Islands

“Before the Taking —and After'’

An Indictment From Rarotonga

This is the second article of a series of three written by Mr. W. G. Taylor , of Taipara, Rarotonga . setting out the grievances of island residents. The first article appeared in our issue of yesterday; the third will appear to-morrow. Extract from address to members of the Cook Islands Parliament by the late Col. W. E. Gudgeon, August 1, 1900. On reference to the returns that will be laid before you, you will see that the receipts for the year ending - June 30, 1900, amount to £3,165 7s lOd, and that the expenditure during the same period has been £2,ISS 9s 100, leaving a surplus balance in the hands of the treasurer of £976 ISs. This is a most satisfactory financial position, but I would warn honourable members not to be unduly elated, for it is a necessity of our position that we should have a surplus each year, and that the surplus sho\ Id be allowed to reach a sum of mo? ey equal to the liabilities of a full final cial year. There can be no fina nciai stability in the Cook Islands until t*e have attained to this position, for I net d hardly remind you that one hurricane might destroy the producing power of this group for one if not two seasons. Note.—We had a hurricane in December, 1925, and another in April, 1926, and our treasury was anything but flush, with the result that public works were suspended. Copy of letter from Makea Ariki and f gamaru Ariki to late Col. W. E. Gudgeon, April 21, 1900. Sir. —It has for some time been in the thoughts of Ngaraaru, the Ariki of Atua Mauke and Mitearo, and also myself, Makea, the chief of the Federal Government, that the present system of protection is not satisfactory, and it is our desire that we should form part of the British Empire and become one with the British people. We therefore ask you to bring this matter before Lord Ranfurly in order that lie may take steps to carry out our desires. We wish his Lordship to understand that it is to Great Britain we wish to be annexed, not to New Zealand. Do not blame us for this sentiment, for we have not forgotten that it was the Parliament of New Zealand who received petitions from bad white men, and treated them as though they were true. I have received communications from Manihiki and Rakanga asking me to intercede on their behalf that they might become part of this federation. These people are descendants of our ancestor Te Euri, therefore we are interested in their welfai'e. We trust in you to aid them in their desires and assist us in ours. Enough. THE ANNEXATION These islands were annexed to Great Britain in 1900 in order to overcome the foregoing objection, but in 1901 the boundaries of New Zealand were altered so that Cook Islands became part of the Colony (now Dominion) of New Zealand. Having accomplished their purpose, the people of New Zealand ought to carry out their trust, and give us the protection for our produce they claim for their own, in their part of the Dominion, and demand from us in our markets. In 1900 the late Hon. R. J. Seddon set sail on a voyage of annexation. He called at Fiji, where public feeling was in favour of annexation with New South Wales, but the White Australia policy prevented such a change. A few weeks after the introduction of the Commonwealth Bill, Mr. Seddon blew into Suva—through stress of weather, he said, but somehow a Press extract made it clear that he had set Fiji down as a likely prize. He could not of course guarantee the people of Fiji that their company would be acceptable to New Zealand, but he thought they could hold some hope. The prize was big, and careful angling was necessary, so he left it at that. Tonga gave him the cold stare. Nothing doing! FIJI’S FREE MARKET Rarotonga, as here stated, is now part of New Zealand. To-day we find Fiji being granted a free market for her produce in New Zealand, grown under cheaper and more favourable conditions, competing with Cook Islands, while she imposes a duty on New Zealand produce going to Fiji, tinned meat 4s case (Id lb.), and possibly other items. Fiji was not annexed; Cook Islands were; therefore New Zealand meat comes in here free. Samoa is reported to be overjoyed at the introduction of the Land Titles Court. Their joys of to-day may be the sorrows of tomorrow, for it is due to the Land Titles Court that the arikis, chiefs and people here have been reduced to a state of vassalage, because the “maua,” which was held over the people by the arikis, is now held over the whole lot by the judge of the Land Court (Government). The lands are held under just the same conditions as formerly, only instead of there being only a few overlords, there are now many. The arikis are shorn of every vestige of power, save the entertaining of visitors at their own expense (assisted by those who occupy their lands) and the kindness of their people in general. It will be interesting to note the effect the Land Titles Court will have on Samoa in 20 years from now, or maybe less time than that will see the power of the chiefs gone, and the people sadder but wiser.

a3/1901 —Extract from Report Year. 1900. Late Col. W. G. Gudgeon. Commissioner. To illustrate the miserable condition of the fruit trade during the past season, I cannot do better than Quote the following actual transactions: A shipment of 95 h tons of oranges made by certain Maoris realised £96 10s -Id m the Auckland market, but against this return there were the following charges: Freight, £95 10s 4d; cartage, £l9 7s; fumigation, £lO 15s 6d: storage while awaiting fumigation, £1 Is 6d; labour, commission, etc., £ll 15s 9d. Total. ~1«A 10s Id. In other words, a loss of £4- on 95£ tons of fruit. Another shipment of 110 tons realised to £154 7s, but the expenses thereon amounted to £153 19s 3d. If necessary it could be shown that these are a fair average of the returns made during the earlv part of the year; indeed, I know of but one agent who has succeeded in making small uniform profits for his principals throughout the year. this experience of the port of Auckland, no one need be astonished that the natives of the Cook Islands are anxious to find another outlet for their fruit. Later shipments have realised better prices; but from inquiries I have made I am convinced that the producers have not received more than £1 a ton that is, Is per 6-inch box actual profit on tne oranges exported by them. That someone has beenfited by this condition of affairs may be assumed; but it has not been the producers, nor does it appear that the consumers have profited by the low prices, inasmuch as from Napier southwards oranges have ruled from Is to 2s a dozen during season. The merchants of Auckland do not endorse the views held by the fruitgrowers of Rarotonga. They contend that the people of Auckland are the largest consumers of fruit in New Zealand, and therefore their town should remain the trade centre. The contention may or may not be in accordance with facts; but, in any case, it has no practical bearing on the merits of the dispute, since it does not disclose any good or sufficient •eason why the Cook Islands should cont nue to supply fruit to the people of Auckland at a loss to themselves. It has never been in contemplation to cease shipping to that port, but experience has taught the people of Rarotonga that they must also export to Wellington and Lyttelton. Those Europeans who are interested in the fruit trade are now considering what steps ought to be taken to place it on a better footing, and it is proposed to hold a large meeting and point out to the Maoris that they themselves are in a measure responsible for the low prices of last season. It is well nigh impossible to make the ordinary Maori of the Cook Islands understand that care is necessary in selecting and packing oranges, or that they should be uniform in size and quality. There is no possible reason why a single bad orange should be sent to New Zealand from this group, for our supply usually exceeds the demand; but, none the less, most of them will continue to damage the trade by sending hopelessly unripe fruit mixed up with good saleable oranges; by allowing bruised fruit to be packed, so that by the time it reaches New Zealand the boxes require to be picked over; by forwarding oranges affected by mussel scale, so that the fruit is fumigated and great loss occasioned to the shippers; and, worse than all, by packing fruit windfalls taken from the ground, and which in many cases has been perforated by a maggot. As I have said, it is almost impossible to convert all of these natives from their evil ways; but something may, nevertheless, be done with the more intelligent among them, and from this class I propose to form an association of men who will bind themselves to send none but the best fruit. Something may be done ‘n this way, for it will enable the raembei s to have their fruit carefully Inat., Raiotonga and the boxes bianded with the association mark as a guarantee of quality. It is also intended to appoint one person at each of the chief towns of the colony to act as agent for the sale of fruit, and thereby prevent a continuation of the present want or system, whereby the oranges are rushed e into auction rooms, and one lot °L , 11: . fo r ced into competition against other lots from the same place. THE POSITION UNCHANGED Although Colonel Gudgeon s letter was written 27 years ago :.t stands just ?nof ood for to - da y as it did then. In 1926 the producers received 2s a case, which did not cover the shipping expenses, while in 1900 they got 2s a case, out of which Is was profit, as expenses were about Is a case in those days. In 1908 the Union Company, with visions of the Frisco line in the near future and the knowledge that if it did not take up the run another company would, started the Manapouri, followed by the Mokoia, eventually followed by the Aorangi, Maitai and Moaua, and has maintained a very good service ever since. Prior to the Weller service very little fruit was bought f.0.b., as the trade was not encouraging; therefore most of the fruit was sent on consignment through the stores, which made advances against shipments in the form of trade. No sooner had the Southern markets been tapped than up went the Auckland market by 50 per cent., which showed what a fine thing the Auckland people had all to themselves for years —supplying the Southern market at high prices. The Government formed an association in 1901 and branded all fruit with a broad arrow burned on each case. Owing to bad management, only two or three shipments were made, as it proved a failure. In 1927 it is well nigh impossible to make the ordinary European and the administration understand that care is necessary in selecting and packing oranges, so the Maoris of 27 years ago were no worse than people of the present era. (To be concluded.)