THE RAROTONGA ISLANDS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 1037, 18 August 1911, Page 5

THE RAROTONGA ISLANDS

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S REPORT. NO CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The report of Sir Robert Stout on the charges agains the administration at the Ooolt Islands was laid on the table of the House of Representatives this afternoon. Sir Robert Stout states that ho --t j once made inquiries, on landing, to as--5 certain what persons liad made complaints against and regarding the administration of the Islands. So far as he could learn only three persons had dono so, viz., Dr. Dawson, a former medical officer; Mr Reynolds, formerly iioad of the police; and Dr. Rupert • Hosking, a dentist practising at Rarotonga. All reside together. He rt'rote these gentlemen stating his willingness to hear what they had to say. They desired to bo examined on oath, ! uc lie explained that there was no law in the Cook Islands permitting oaths to be administered, even by a •Joyal Commission. They wrote him later, declining to make statements; ; ; sut subsequently Reynolds maije a statement which lie afterwards withdrew! A perusal of the letters would show that one of the main reasons ziven for desiring a public enquiry was that they had been attacked, and they should have the opportunity of exculpating themselves. No person came forward with any complaints except Reynolds. Sir Robert Stout visited the native vin their villages. The Rev. James complained that he . thought that the law as to white men living with Maoris should be enforced. "No charge is made." oontiniies Sir Robert Stout, "by Drs. Dawson and He-skins:, against the Commission for not enforcing this law. The natives have not taken any exception to the inclusion of the Island as part of New Zealand ; but they resent the idea that their local government has come to an end. The charges that were ad- ■ jduced by Mr Wright are wholly about municipal-matters." Sir Robert Stout holds that it is dangerous to lay down the precedent that two or three dissatisfied citizens can, on a purely local matter, have a right to demand a Royal Commission |to investigate their grievances. He J was told by one of the white settlers 1 that even an appeal to the New Zea- < viand Government by Drs. Dawson and j;Ho-king, acid. Mr Reynolds had a disj: quieting effect on: the native mind. | ; it will not j'tqpci towards; the.^good government of ; the Cook •Islands if the local councils i.ajre to be;ignored. ] The charges wliach were examined . Iwere of .minor importance, and touched on hospital management, administration of justice, the termination of Mr Reynolds' appointment, the drainage of the lagoon, the appointment of an European member of the Federal Council, prison administration, thfe intoxicating liquors question, education, and the appointment of an auditor. The above cover all the complaints. Sir Robert .Stout says the hospital is a better building than will be found in many parts of New Zealand with five times the population. He had heard that all the "fuss" would end with Dr. Dawson's re-appointment as medical officer. / With regard to the administration of justice, one oharge was a mere technicality, and in another no one sustained any injury. With regard to Mr Reynold's dismissal, Ins appointment was not a per- : manent one, and he was hostile to the Commission, on account of the companions he kept. , The drainage: of the lagoon was a J -difficult problem, and should bis de- , fayed pending investigation of the finances of the islands for public works. The appointment of n. white member to the Island Council should not be carried out without thb unanimous consent of the-native people. ] The police administration on the isJ land is a difficult matter to cope with, I as there is no prison there. The prisoners. are usually employed road-mak-ing. Specific charges mutft fall to the ground so far as the Commissioner is concerned. ' ' "There is. no doubt," adds Sir Robert Stout, "great trouble in the Islands through the manufacture, more than the saile, of intoxicating liquor." In his opinion there was an extravagant amount of spirituous liquor delivj ered to European inhabitants of the islands. From what be eould gather from many white residents, about 80 or 90 per cent of the white residents were in favour of alcohol being .prohibited absolutely. Sir Robert Stout urged that the education of the natives must be looked upon as a matter of urgency. ' ! The State auditor on the islands did his work well. His appointment was only a temporary on,e. In conclusion, he said the administration had done and was doing good work. Considering the small pay (£SOO per year) and the fnct that the climate was not suitable for Europeans, it was not likely that higher officers of the New Zealand service would accept the appointment of Commissioner. The Resident Commissioner had not only the climate to contend against, but ako, judging from what had taken place in the past> ; lie would have to put up with I a considerable amount of ,carping.*and r petty criticism.