51

A.—3

No. 68. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th October, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 235, of the 10th September last, with reference to the duty on black-twist tobacco imported into the Island of Niue. The matter has already been brought to my notice, and I propose to recommend the issue of an Order in Council raising the limit of price to Is. 3d. per pound; but before doing so I have asked Colonel Gudgeon for his opinion, and expect his reply by next mail. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. James McGowan.

No. 69. Sin, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th November, 1906. Referring to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of an Order in Council revoking the Order in Council of the 2nd"August, 1905, reducing to Is. the pound the duty on certain tobacco imported into ihe Cook and other Islands, and fixing flic duty on bliiok-twist tobacco imported into the said Islands at Is. the pound where the genuine invoice value at the time of importation does not exceed Is. 3d. per pound. The Order in Council will be published in this week's : ssue of Ihe New Zealand Gazette. I have, &C, The Resident Niue. James McGowan.

COMPLAINT OF ISLAND COUNCIL RE CERTAIN MATTERS. No. 70. Sin, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th January, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th December last, forwarding a letter from the President of the Niue Island Council with reference to certain matters affecting the island. I have carefully considered the various matters referred to in the President's letter, and I shall be obliged if you will convey my reply to the Council. 1. The Schoone? " Countess of Ranfurly." —When the schooner whs built it was hoped that she would have been of more benefit to the Islands than has turned out u> be the case. I think, however, that the fact that a Government schooner was running among the Islands has had a good effect in keeping down freights, and by this means the Islanders have reaped some advantage. I do not, however, wish to force the schooner upon the Islands, and, having fully discussed the whole matter with Colonel (iudgeon and yourself, I intend to propose to the Government that the schooner be sold. This is also the reply to the resolution of the Council forwarded with your letter of the 1 ">th November last. '1. Education. —lf a teacher were sent to Niue, he would have to be paid by the Niue Administration, and the cost to the island would be much greater than at present. I think that for the present the schools should be left in the hands of the mission; but I also think that the mission schools should teach English. This view should be impressed upon !he mission authorities by the Council and yourself, and I have no doubt that the mission, which has done and is doing such good work, will readily agree to extend its usefulness by undertaking to include English in its teaching. I. Medical Attendance. —The expense of stationing a doctor at Niue permanently would be too great for the island revenue to bear. Perhaps an arrangement might be made for a doctor to visit the island once or twice a year. Further inquiry will be made. . 4. Resident Committiotmr's Office. —It is better that the Commissioner should have a separate office for the transaction of his business. In New Zealand and in other countries the officers of the Government do not transact their work at the houses in which they live, but have separate offices, where the people who want to see them can always find them. 5. The Traders' License Fee.—l understand that before the Island of Niue was handed over to Queen Victoria the traders paid a license fee to the King. It is right that persons who trade in the Islands should pay a small fee for the privilege of doing so. By this means a certain amount of revenue is raised for the purposes of the Island Government, and the Government is able to prevent any undesirable persons from coming to the Islands and trading there. Any man from Niue who wishes to trade should also take out a license; but if the Council thinks it right to do so, it can pass an Ordinance providing that the men of Niue Island shall pay a reduced fee—say, £2 or £2 10s. a year. 6. Fruit Trade. —This matter will be considered, but the fruit-export of Niue is not enough for vessels to go there very often. 7. Women leaving the Island. —l have discussed this question with the Resident Commissioner, and he will talk it over with the Council on his return. 8. Statements of Revenue and Export. —The accounts for the year are printed and laid before the New Zealand Parliament every year, and copies of the printed papers are sent to Niue. The Commissioner states that he has explained the various items to the Council; but he has undertaken to have the accounts translated in future and laid before the Council, so that each man may see for himself. 9. Rate of Wages. —The rate of wages must be fixed locally, according to the ruling rate and the nature of the work to be done. Therefore lam not able to give the Resident Commissioner any instructions on this point. I have, fco., The Resident Commissioner, Niue. Jambs McGowan.