Cook Is. Sour Over Visit

Of Nz Tax Man

PASSENGERS arriving in Auck land from the Cook Islands on the April Maui Pomare, reported that the arrival in Rarotonga of a Taxation Inspector from New Zea land (as reported in March PIM) had caused a considerable stir.

It was reported that the Raro tonga Island Council had refused to accept taxation and had radioed to the NZ Prime Minister to that effect. Failing a satisfactory and prompt reply from Wellington, it was reported that the Island Coun cil would immediately put the case to the United Nations Organisation.

Cook Islanders do not pay NZ Social Security tax of 1 6 in the £1 on salary or wages, but they are liable for income tax, even though they have no representation in Parliament in Wellington.

This may be justified when applied to employees of firms whose head quarters are in New Zealand and whose staff remain in the Cook Islands for only a few years, but permanent residents of the Cooks claim immunity based on the old rule of no taxation without repre sentation.

U Mr. Buster Bourke, of the World Travel Bureau, Sydney, NSW, paid a visit to Tahiti in March.

(I Mrs. Frank Russell, nee Nane Akapi, of Rarotonga, now living at Coco Beach, Florida, where her husband is attached to the Guided Missile Section of the USAF, reported that a third son has been born to Dr. Tom and Mrs. Davis, of Raro tonga, who are at present in Boston,

Usa.

H Mr. W. J. C&rstairs has been transferred from Ocean Island to police duties at Honiara, BSI.

U Mr. Malcolm Brodie, managing director of Pacific Biscuit Co., and Union Soaps Pty. Ltd., of Suva, Fiji, was visiting New Zealand and Aus tralia in April on business.