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a common ancestor. A census of the Cook Islands is held in conjunction with the New Zealand census, and the following figures are quoted to illustrate the population growth : 1906 .. .. .. .. 8,518 1929 .. .. .. .. 10,081 1945 .. .. .. .. 14,519* * Includes 231 Europeans. It is emphasized that these figures refer only to resident population and do not take into account those who migrate to New Zealand. The Cook Island Maoris are all professed Christians. The London Missionary Society, the Roman Catholic mission, the Seventh Day Adventist mission, and the Church of Latter Day Saints are represented in the Group. Maori is still the spoken language of the area, and official publications are published in both English and Maori. The census of 1945 revealed that fewer than 6 per cent, of the population over ten years of age were unable to read and write in their own language. D. Government The Cook Islands are within the boundaries of the Dominion of New Zealand and provision for their government is made in the Cook Islands Act, 1915. Under this Act a Resident Commissioner is charged with the administration of the Cook Islands. The Resident Commissioner is resident in Rarotonga, and is represented on the other islands by Resident Agents. The Maoris are British subjects and New Zealand citizens under the provisions of the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act, 1948. In each of the ten main islands there is an Island Council consisting of ex-ojjicio members, and members who are elected triennially. The ex-officio members of these Councils comprise the Resident Commissioner, the Resident Agent, and the respective Arikis. The Councils are presided over by the Resident Commissioner, if present, or the Resident Agents. Europeans in the Cook Group are represented by one elected member of the Island Council of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1946, under which these Island Councils were reconstituted, also provided for a Legislative Council of the Cook Islands. This body is comprised of ten unofficial members elected by Island Councils and ten official members appointed by the Governor-General. The Council is presided over by the Resident Commissioner, who has a casting but not a deliberative vote. Laws affecting the Cook Islands are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament or by Orders in Council and regulations issued thereunder. Ordinances applicable to the whole of the Cook Islands may be made by the Legislative Council of the Cook Islands, subject to certain statutory restrictions. These Ordinances require the assent of the Resident Commissioner, and may be disallowed in whole or part by the Governor-General within one year from the date of assent of the Resident Commissioner. Ordinances restricted to individual islands may be passed by the Island Councils concerned, but require the assent of the Resident or may, at the discretion of the Resident Commissioner, be reserved for the signification of the Governor-General's pleasure. The third session of the Legislative Council was held in Rarotonga from 14th November, 1949, until 30th November, 1949. Mr. R. T. G. Patrick, Secretary, Department of Island Territories, attended the session as representative of the New Zealand Government. A notable feature of the proceedings was the active and responsible part taken by the elected members in debates and proposals for the welfare of the Group as a whole. Two Ordinances were passed during the session. The Legislative Council is fulfilling its purpose and marks an important step in the political advancement of the Cook Islands.

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