Officer to Go

Native Council Asks Administrative Officer to Go

From Our Own Correspondent

Mangaia, Dec. 2.

THE Native Council of this island, which has always been singularly “Sinn Fein,” is again opposing the Administration, and is fain to conduct its own affairs, without the Resident Agent—to whom it has handed marching orders!

This crisis occurs to every incumbent; and is typical of the isle, which, having never been surveyed, is much more tur bulent politically than the rest of the Cook Group.

The present dispute has arisen out of “hurricane hunger” and resultant short tempers, no aid in reconstruction, the inevitable errors of an official new to Mangaia, and the recent recruiting of local labour for the phosphate island of Makatea, The Council forbids Mangaians to go to Makatea, alleging harsh terms in the contract, which “make the worker per sonally responsible for any accidents, sickness, etc.” and state that pay is to cease upon disability.

The present situation is that the RA has been “voted out” and requested to leave the island!

It would be interesting to know exactly what power the Mangaia Council has.

On the native side, it is quite autocratic, and is not free from the use of bullies for political purposes, like some trade unions in civilisation. It has also, in its circle, men of an unscrupulous and bully ing type. Its chairman, however —the native" king—is a wise and peaceful ruler, and there is in the Council about an equal balance of opposing interests, which makes things safe for the islanders at large.

But this Council has always been a headache for Resident Agents! The RA has, theoretically, an almost-absolute authority; but no means exist for enforcing any orders that are not obeyed, and the Council never fails to take advantage of this Gilbertian state of affairs Everything goes back to the old Man gaian desire to exclude all Europeans, retain land in native hands, and exist as a second Tonga. Someone who under stands these people, and gains their trust, could effect an amiable compromise. The neople, as a community, are deeply sus picious of a coming “survey.”