A—3

Citrus Replanting The Agriculture Department lias charge of the citrus replanting scheme. The scheme at present being developed provides for the planting of 100 acres in orange-trees. It is anticipated that these will commence bearing in the fifth year and will be in full bearing in the eleventh year, when the production from these plantings will be 45,000 cases. Preference is given to the following types of land tenure: (1) Maori family land ; (2) Individually owned land ; (3) Leased properties.Each plot of land is treated separately and made to bear its own establishment and maintenance charges. The scheme is financed by the New Zealand Treasury, and interest is charged half-yearly at the rate of 5 per cent. No charge is made for the general supervision by the officers of the Agriculture Department, but work performed by the foreman or casually employed labour is debited to the plot. It is anticipated that oranges from these plots will be available for export in the fifth year after the planting, and the proceeds will be used to reduce the costs debited against the plot. In the sixth and subsequent years a larger quantity of fruit will be exported, and after deducting the maintenance charges the proceeds will be divided equally between the owner and the reduction of the debt outstanding. To ensure that all persons entitled to a share of the proceeds receive their share, the Fruit Control Scheme - will pay these moneys into the Native Land Court Trust Account for distribution. Estimated yields are as follows : Fifth year, 1 case per tree ; sixth year, two cases per tree ; seventh year, two and a half cases per tree ; eighth year, three cases per tree ; ninth year, three and a half cases per tree ; tenth year, four cases per tree; eleventh year, five cases per tree. When an individual expresses a wish to enter the scheme, a meeting of all available •owners is called by the Registrar of the Native Land Court. At a meeting attended by the Registrar and the Surveyor- a free and open discussion takes place, and the Registrar is responsible to see that proceedings are adequately and correctly recorded. The Surveyor marks out the area and records its position. A note is taken of all dissents, and the completed record is deposited in the Native Land Court records. If the Court is satisfied that the allocation is a proper one under Maori custom—or if the ■owner or family is already known —it may confirm the arrangement and record it in the Court minutes. Upon confirmation the owner of the area should be able to pledge the freehold to the Administration as security for the advances necessary. Any advances made in the development of the plot are automatically a charge on the freehold of the land. Previously the organization of the industry was not good. The Maori would pledge Ms crop in return for advances from the merchants, who did not always receive the crop. The result was that the Maori was assisted to fall into debt. The institution of the present method of purchasing crops has led to an improvement of these conditions. Marketing of Produce Copra.—Production from the Cook Islands is shipped to New Zealand in accordance with an arrangement made with the United Kingdom Ministry of Food. The Director of Agriculture issues certificates of quality and weight. Rarotonga is used as the assembly point for shipping, supplies being purchased in the outer islands by merchants and transported to Rarotonga in inter-island vessels.

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