ISLAND TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 3

ISLAND TRADE.

IMPORTANT INQUIRIES. - NEED FOR IMPROVED SHIPPING SERVICES. The Press Association correspondent with the Parliamentary party writes:— What would most help to increase the volume of trade in the Cook Islands is a problem that is of great interest to the members of Parliament with the Mokoia. This question is, of course, being thoroughly investigated by the Trade Commission, but its report will not be available for some considerable time. In the opinion of the Residential Commissioner, Mr- F. .W Platts, a first essential is the provision of an interisland auxiliary schooner controlled by the Administration, which would bring produce from the more remote islands to Raratonga. Equally important is an improved shipping service between Raratonga and New_ Zealand, Measure of relief in this direction has already been provided. The Commissioner also considers that the adoption of the Pago Pago system of administrative control of the sale of the whole copra output would prove of great benefit to the native producers. He opines jthat this would do away with the handicap on producers in the more distant islands, who at present cannot reach a competitive market. Much care Is being given by the Administration at present to the packing of oranges, and one of the island officials is being sent to America to investigate the curing and packing processes generally. Parliament voted £2OOO for the erection of packing sheds, and an experimental shed is now in course of erectiq.ii. It is hoped.that when the curing and packing system is in working order that oranges may he landed in New Zealand and kept in store when necessary without loss to the merchants.