Bureaucratic System in Cook Islands

Cook Islands

By Edwin Gold, Of Mangaia

AT the present time there is unrest and dissatisfaction in *the “orange islands” of the Cook Group.

This unrest is not a new thing, nor due to self-seeking agitators. It is caused by the present administrative system, and a revision of that system is needed.

Here are a few facts: — The “Resident Agent” system, upon the outer islands, while well-intended in its original conception, is not now praised.

Like all “one-man” rule, any abuse of the Resident Agent’s comprehensive powers can create a petty dictatorship.

Resident Agents are appointed from NZ, for a term of three years. By the time the official has gained experience, he is ready to return to NZ again, and another inexperienced man takes the vacated post.

The retention in the Cl judicial code of harsh, archaic laws (e.g., prison sen tences for adultery) and their continued enforcement, puts the RA again in the position of a Nazi Judge. These antique laws are never apnlied to the wealthy; but “poor whites” and Polynesians who break them may expect rigorous penalty.

The island of Mangaia is notorious in the

archipelago for its “Seventh Command ment fines” (up to £5).

The low standard of native education makes local schools a failure in the in culcation of ideals of good citizenship, and as at present conducted they are merely a drain on the New Zealand tax payer, and lead nowhere.

Native living standards are low — “coolie” is the only fitting adjective. The 6/- per case offered for Mangaia oranges (the best in the Cl market) does not repay the expense and exertion of pick ing, packing and transportation. Man gaians earn money only during four months each year; but their needs, and their expenses, continue from January 1 to December 31.

“Big Business” has the monopoly of all inter-island and CI-NZ shipping com munications. The planters are thus at the mercy of one firm in shipping their produce, and must suffer the deduction, from fruit payments, of whatever charge this firm makes. The same rates appear to apply when fruit is shipped per NZ Government vessel.

In 20 years’ residence at Mangaia, the has never seen a Resident Agent who was able to convince the islanders that the prevailing legal, political and commercial systems were for their good.

The native still believes that he is being misruled, and held down to a coolie liv ing standard, without voice or vote, by New Zealand. Being uneducated, he can

not protest.

Summing up, it would appear that, in the Cooks, rule is arbitrary, without re course for the ruled, or redress in case of abuses. The official oligarchy is re sponsible only to itself, and there is little more actual freedom than in the Ges tapo-ridden lands recently conquered in the name of liberty.