About

Official Decisions About Cook Is. Requests

rnHE subjects which were dealt with by JL the New Zealand Council of the Cook Islands, and the decision of the New Zealand Government in relation thereto have been officially set out as follows: — Experimental Farms: The Minister has approved of agri cultural development trials being under taken at once in Rarotonga and extended to the other islands of the Group as soon as an instructor is available.

It is considered that there should not be too much concentration in Rarotonga.

On account of the varying types* of soils in the islands it would be better to de velop experimentally along the lines of small trial or demonstration areas in each of the islands, thereby, in time, determining the commodities best suited to the particular areas. A sum of £1,900 has been placed on the Estimates for the development of experimental farms.

The appointment of an instructor in general agriculture for the group has been approved.

School Fees: The collection of school fees is to be discontinued and the regulations are being amended accordingly. It is ex pected that the local residents will show their interest in education by maintain ing school buildings and grounds by community labour and local materials.

An amendment to the regulations is being prepared by the Department.

Postage Stamp Issues: The Minister cannot agree to issues of postage stamps at frequent intervals merely for revenue purposes.

Provision of Boats and Launches for Resident Agents: The Minister, while appreciating the value of launches for communication be tween Manihiki and Rakahanga, and be tween Mauke and Mitiaro, desires a report on the question generally and par ticularly regarding berthing or mooring possibilities. He seeks data about boats for Resident Agents at other islands.

Allowance to Members of Council: While agreeing that there were apparent inequalities in the rates of allowances paid to members absent from their homes—i.e., 7/- on non-sitting days and 10/- on sitting days the Minister is seeking further information.

He has agreed that members of all Islands Councils be paid an allowance of £9 p.a.

Gaols at Outer Islands: Provision is being made on the sup plementary estimates for small gaols at Penrhyn, Manihiki, Atiu and Mauke.

In regard to the provision of £300 for a gaol at Aitutaki, information is sought on the report that a gaol has been erected there but was being used as a garage.

Police Salaries: This being a matter for the Public Service Commission was not referred to the Minister. Recommendations in this matter are now under action.

Constitution of Legislative Council: That the constitution be altered by removing all Rarotonga official members —Minister cannot agree.

That the islands of Mitiaro, Puka Puka and Rakahanga be represented annually on the Council—The Council as

at present constituted is sufficiently large and to give the islands mentioned continuous representation without increasing the representation of more thickly populated islands would be inequitable.

That the 1946 Amendment Act be amended to provide for the unofficial members to consist of nine natives and one European—The proposed amendment represents the intention of the Government, which will adjust the matter when other amendments of the Act are under consideration.

That unofficial members remain in office for three years—The Minister agrees that the life of the Council was

intended to be three years. Question referred to the Law Officers for their opinion and the suggestion of a means whereby the Government’s intention can be met as far as possible. , , , Minister invited to attend Council Meetings: The Minister will endeavour to make his visits coincide with meetings of the Council. Should he be unable to do this he will try to arrange for another member of the Government to represent him.

Orange Price for 1948; A decision in regard to this and the

retention of the bonus system was given at the beginning of the season.

Construction of Airstrips: Owing to high costs, the project of pro viding airstrips at the various islands has had to be deferred in favour of more urgent works. Members should not con clude that the proposed project has now been abandoned, but recent developments in international civil aviation make it necessary to lay down conditions regard ing safety, efficiency and equipment, which makes the provision of airstrips a much more costly 1 business than pre viously. The Government is converting for the use of the Administration a Fair mile launch which would provide rapid, regular communication betweeu the Islands.

Reef Passages: Members are informed that the question of reef passages is under con sideration, following a comprehensive re port by an officer of Public Works, covering extensive improvements to the passage at Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro and Atiu. As the total expenditure involved is estimated to be in excess of £20,000, thought must be given to doing more urgent work first. The improvement of the passages will be attended to.

Radio Telephones: As the reconstruction of the Rarotonga radio station (which will contain radio telephone equipment) is being pushed forward it is not considered necessary to make any temporary installations of ZCI sets.

Afforestation: This year’s l Estimates include £lOO, to allow for the cultivation of seedlings for later planting-out.

Water supply in Outer Islands: The Minister is keenly aware of the necessity of improving water supplies in the outer islands. This year’s Estimates provide for six tanks, each of 10,000 gallons. It is probable that some, if not all, of these will be precast, thus avoiding the necessity of collecting materials in Rarotonga and employing experts in their erection.

Development in Agriculture: Appointment of an instructor in general agriculture has been agreed to.

The Government could not purchase all produce grown, but this difficulty would be met in due course by the provision of adequate shipping to New Zealand. As practically all produce would be sold to New Zealand it would be within the competence of the Government to ensure that producers receive fair prices.