C.I. Fruit

M.P.’s Continue Inquiry

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, July 12.

/CONTINUING the inquiry into the Cook lslands fruit industry, three mem bers of the New Zealand Parliament arrived here on the Makura yesterday.

The delegation consists of Messrs. Rob ertson (Govt.), Hunter (Govt.), and Hol land (Opposition), accompanied by Mr.

Smith (Secretary for the Cook Is. De partment).

Officially welcoming the party, Judge Ayson, C.M.G. (Resident Commissioner) expressed confidence in the result of the visit and hoped that as a consequence 1936 would be remembered as the most important and brightest year in the his tory of the group. Stressing the cordial relationship which exists between the Maori and European population, the Com missioner trusted that in addition to their official duties the visitors would find time to see something of the internal life and conditions of Rarotonga.

Replying on behalf of his colleagues, Mr. Robertson prefaced his remarks by reading a message from the Prime Minis ter (Mr. Savage) to the Cook Islanders in which the former, using the picturesque phraseology customary under such cir cumstances, said that the Government had “received their prayer for assistance and had opened the doors of Parliament to their delegates.”

Referring to the members’ visit, Mr.

Savage in his message urged the people, irrespective of rank or position, to come forward freely and speak without fear.

If the Islanders would do their part by producing good fruit, by properly hand ling, picking, and packing same, the N.Z.

Government would also do its share by helping them to market it. Parliament’s decision in this matter would be made public before the end of the year.