Should Officials Learn

Local Language?

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, March 4.

Administration officials in the Cook Islands were delighted to hear recently that a bonus of £lO per annum would be paid in future to any member of the service passing examinations in the local Maori langu age. While progressives applaud this as a step in the right direction, it has been suggested in some quarters that it would be more to the point were the Govern ment to subtract £lO p.a. from the sala ries of men who did not pass these examinations.

In comparison with the territories of Western Samoa and Fiji, it is surprising how few Europeans in the Cook Islands can speak Maori fluently. The official classes in all the territories seem to shirk this important task, but non-offi cials usually are noticeable for their pro ficiency. In a Group like the Cook Islands, where the same tongue can be understood over hundreds of sauare miles of islands (even as far as Tahiti and New Zealand), such an omission is inexcusable.

Arrivals in Sydney from Norfolk Island in March included Mrs. Charles Bennett, and her son. Mr. Morris Bennett, and the latter’s wife. The travellers later pro ceeded to NZ where Mrs. Bennett will make her home with her son and daughter-in-law in Wellington. Mrs.

Bennett organised the Girl Guide move ment at Norfolk Island, and was also prominent in Red Cross affairs during her lengthy stay there.