New Industries

Cook Islands Progress

Control Of Pests By

Parasites

Enterprise is shown by the cook Islands Administration (controlled by New Zealand) in introducing new industries to that fertile territory.

The annual report to 30th March, 1930, just to hand states that a new industry was commenced in Rarotonga for the preservation of pure orange juice, and there is every possibility of this proving of great importance. Sev eral thousand gallons were preserved during the year and found a ready market. The Administration considers that New Zealand’s total requirements could easily be supplied from the Cook group, and the company is to make a bid for this trade, provided it can com pete against foreign imports.

The value of the industry lies in the fact that it will absorb a considerable portion of the surplus crop of oranges, for which no shipping has hitherto been provided. Lemon juice and peel have been tried also by the company, and experiments are being carried out with spices, etc.

The Administration is co-operating with the company in growing experi mental plots in the Government nursery.

During the year small trial lots of annatto seed have been exported to New Zealand, where there is a de mand, principally for colouring cheese.

Papain samples were forwarded to the Imperial Institute, London.

Raffia and Pass seeds, imported from Madagascar, have germinated and are growing slowly. West African oil palms are growing well, but making slow progress. Excelsa coffee was im ported and plants were distributed to growers.

The outbreak of “Mytilaspes” scale reported last year, which seriously affected the orange trees of Aitutaki, has been completed checked by the importation of the chalcid wasp nara site. The noxious weed “Lantana” has been checked also to a great extent by the introduction of a parasite.