COOK ISLANDS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3428, 6 March 1920, Page 7

COOK ISLANDS.

DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE.

VVELLINGTON, March 4

The Press Association correspondent writes: What would most help to increase the volume of trade in Cool: Islands is a problem that is of great int.(=rcsi to the “3l.cmborS of Palmment with the Mokoia. This question is of course being thoroughly investigated by the Trade Commission, but its report will not be available for some time. In the opinion of Resident Commissioner Platts, the Vfirst essential is the provision of an interIsland auxiliary schooner controlled by the adminis~tra.tion. which would bring produce fronl'the more remote islands to Rarotonga. Equally important is improved shipping service between Rarotonga and New Zealand. A measure of relief in this direction has been already pi-ovideTl'. The Commissioner also considers the adoption of the Page Pago system of administration. Control of the sale of the whole copra output would prove of great benefit to native producers, and do away with the handicap oil‘-produc-org in more distant islands, "who at present cannot reach a competitive market, Much care is being given by the administration‘ at present to packing oranges, and one of the island officials is being sent to America to inve.<tigut.e curing and packing processes generally. Parliament: voted

£2OOO for the erection of packing sheds. and an experimental shed is now in course of erection. It is hoped that when the curing and I:»zlcklng system is in Tvorking‘ order, oranges may he landed in New Zealand and kept in store, when n'ecessal-3", without loss to merchants.