A—3

1946 NEW Z E ALAND

COOK ISLANDS [In continuation of parliamentary paper A-3, 1945]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

MEMORANDUM Wellington, 30th July, 1946. I submit the report of the administration of the Government of the Cook Islands, including Niue, for the year ended 31st March, 1946. Two outstanding facts appear in respect of the islands other than Niue : (i) The number of Cook Islands Maori depositors in the Post Office Savings-bank at Rarotonga at 31st March was 4,026. This is almost double the number recorded on 31st March, 1942, i.e., 2,113, which at that date was a record high figure. The total amount of their deposits is now over three times as much as in 1942, i.e., £60,670, as compared with £19,006. (ii) In 1938 the percentage of imports comprising foodstuffs was 29-5. In 1945 the value of foodstuffs was 42-2 per cent, of the total of all importations. In respect of Niue, the trade figures show that in 1938 the value of foodstuffs was 28 per cent., and in 1945, 35-5 per cent., of the total imports. P. FRASER, Minister of Island Territories.