ISLAND AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1920, Page 5

ISLAND AFFAIRS.

THE PARLIAMENTARY VISIT. WIRELESS TELEPHONE CONNECTION. i DEPUTATIONS AT RAROTONGA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The following delayed message has been received from Rarotonga, dated February 20;— Sir James Allen, replying to the Mangaia Island Oouncil, said it was likely a wireless telephone might eventually connect the Islands with Rarotonga. A canoe returning, containing Sir J«s. Allen, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, and Colonel Tate, was swamped off a reef, and a hazardous transfer to another canoe was accomplished all well. Deputations at Rarotonga to-day largely referred to the policy of administration. The Native Council and the Native Growers' Association both made grateful acknowledgment of the benefits received under Mr. PJatts' administration. Planterg are hostile to what they term the Commissioner's use of his powers to the detriment of their interests, especially in connection with the formation of an association of native growers to ship their own produce. The Arikis requested the restoration of |V> nmna by a return to feudal land <■:. :•■>!. Sir Jas. Alle.; endorsed Mr. Platis' action in finding the natives a free market, and promised that the Government "would assist the Commissioner's representations to the shipping company for more shipping and adequate space allotment. The Government was experimenting in cold storage with a view of helping the Island fruit trade. Sir James also stated that arrangements were in progress for the establishment of a local credit bank.

VOICE IN ADMINISTRATION. Answering numbers of questions by native powers, Sir James said the wastage in the fruit crop last year owing to lack of shipping amounted to threefifths; they considered the pooling of their produce under Oovernnient supervision with advances by a credit bank desirable; a Kuropean request for representation on the Island Council was opposed by the natives. Sir James Allen said that when the Islands were annexed the Government promised representative institutions, and that promise would not be broken. Nevertheless, he would be glad if the Council would invite Kuropean representation. Members asked many questions, and much evidence was taken. Sir James Allen announced that, failing European representation, the Government would appoint an Advisory Board to assist the Commissioner, thus recognising the Kuro' pean taxpayers' right to a voice in the administration.

A COMMISSION WANTED. A European traders' and planters' deputation asked for a Commission to inquire into the question of administration. They took the strongest exception to a statement by Mr. Platts that there was £« ring which controlled the prices for copra, and they denied thai they hindered the natives from getting shipping space and cases, or compelled I hem to sell to traders rather than consign to tin open market. Mr. Piatts confirmed his statement that a corpra ring existed which' was making large profits. He added that so long as he ,vas Commissioner he believed it his duty to break that ring or any other combination operating against the native interests. That was his policy of administration. Sir James Allen appealed for more friendly relations, and hoped the proposed Advisory Board would assist. The traders' representatives, replying, said they never would be satisfied without a Commission of Inquiry.