Experts Survey The Cooks
p. 60 · Read in the full issue
AS a result of a criticism of many phases of Cook Islands affairs last year, a Parliamentary delegation, headed by the then Min ister of Island Territories, made a short visit to the two main islands for an on-the-spot investigation.
As a result of his visit —he said criticisms were not based on any firm information an economic survey by two leading New Zealand economists, Professor H. Belshaw and Mr. V. D. Stace, was made.
Copies of the 204-page report they compiled were tabled in the House in Wellington, and simul taneously at the annual Legislative Council meeting in the Cook Islands in October.
The full report is not yet to hand in Sydney but a Rarotonga cor respondent gave in November PIM a resume of its findings on the Cooks’ copra industry. This pre view seems to suggest that the criticisms from the Cooks last year may not have been far from the mark, at least in the eyes of the economists.
The full report should be of wide interest to New Zealand taxpayers who have to pay the bill each year.
Some permanent residents of the Cooks believe that these Islands, given encouragement and assistance towards development, could be self
supporting. The economic survey, now completed, may point the way more clearly. t A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Windsor, of Auckland, early in November. Mr. Windsor is the well known Radio Officer-Purser of NZGS Maui Pomare, and Mrs.
Windsor is known in the Coo Islands in connection with the Gii Guide movement. tl Mr. F. H. Sims, Senior Assistar Auditor, British Solomon Islamj Protectorate, and Mrs. Sim arrived in Honiara, BSIP, in lai September.