Cook Islands Natives

New Plans for Co-operative Association

Rarotonga, Dec. 3.

IT is claimed that 9,000 natives, out of a total of 15,000 in the group, are now members of the Cook Islands Progress Association. The organisation has been somewhat re-formed, and is now better known as the Cook Islands Pro ducers’ Co-operative Association.

The members are small shareholders, and the Association is trying to improve the economic conditions of the people generally. It has struggled on for years, in spite of derision, scandal and open op position.

In June, 1949, the Association acquired a 112 ft. Fairmile, the La Reta, which has earned good revenue in carrying freight and passengers between the islands. Those profits have been invested in trade goods, and an increasing amount of trading is being done, for the benefit of members.

Two Europeans are prominent. Cap tain D. S. Macleod runs the La Reta; and Mr. M. Franklin, a qualified ac countant, manages the headquarters in Rarotonga.

The first general meeting of delegates from all the islands was held in Raro tonga in September, and it was announced that the Association had committeed itself to the following plans:— • A scheme for the propagation and re planting of bananas is to be put into force immediately. Since the cessation of banana exports in 1944, the supply of young shoots has deteriorated alarmingly, there having been no incentive to con tinue or extend planting. Now the CIPA has ordered that each producer shall plant out 200 banana shoots. • The increase in the numbers of native rats, particularly in Penrhyn Island, has become a menace to the copra, peanut and kumera crops. There is now to be a week devoted to rat extermination, at re gular intervals throughout the year. • A scheme is in force to propagate coconuts and pandanus palms, to improve native housing. With the dying out of the pandanus palms, natives have made their houses of plaited coconut fronds.

This damages the palms and restricts bearing capacity and the material, as used in house-construction, is very short-lived, requiring replacement every years. • In order to encourage care and pride in crop cultivation and native arts, an Agricultural Fair is to be held in 1950.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded in each island for the best exhibits in divi sions of agriculture, mat-making, weav ing, carving, etc. • It is hoped that as soon as finances will permit, the CIPA will select young students to send to NZ for training in specialised subjects. • A selected group of CIPA members will collect and review traditional native customs, to encourage and modify those considered beneficial to the present mode of life, and to forbid those harmful or dangerous. • A market is to be established in Raro tonga to handle goods for exchange with outer islands and to deal with the process ing for export of surplus crops. This should open up a small canning industry in the Cook Islands.

It is hoped thus to prepare for greater production, and that in 1951 a larger ship with full refrigeration will be calling re gularly at Rarotonga.