Only Poverty for Cook Is.

Maoris "Social Security" for NZ Cousins

r Letter to the Editor A RECENT writer to ‘TIM” was appre hensive that the recent unrest in the Cook Islands would “spread to New Zealand.” It seems to me that this is a case of putting the cart before the horse.

Recent NZ Maori election literature found its way here, in support of the four Maori Labour candidates. It was digested with great interest by the local intelli gentsia, because it compared the state of affairs among the NZ Maoris, under T9ry governments with their present condition under the Labour government. Labour provides the NZ Maoris with all kinds of Social Security benefits. What the MZ Maori cannot get by working, he can gain in other ways But what of the Cook Islands Maori?

If he becomes sick—on his head alone is his recovery; be he poor—on his ex port of iow-priced fruit alone rests his chance of ready cash. Vote he has none, except as it concerns a powerless native council.

If the Cook Islander were not of Asiatic patience he might long ago have given the authorities something t 9 worry about, His acceptance of a coolie living-standard reveals the Islands Maori as a Spartan and a Stoic. To suggest that the justi fled agitation of the local native planter for a reasonable return for his produce may inflame the NZ Maori to some act of rebellion is, to my mind, ridiculous, * T t 1 am ’ ’

Edwin Gold.

Mangaia, Cook Is., 5/5/47. EDITORIAL NOTE; The use of the term “Maori” is sometimes confusing.

Usually, “Maori” means a New Zealand

native. But, officially, it means all Poly nesians who speak that particular lan guage. There is little difference between the native language spoken in New Zea land, Cook Islands and French Oceania; but a wide difference between that Group and the languages of Samoa, Tonga and Hawaii.