THE COOK ISLANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3361, 30 October 1911, Page 5

THE COOK ISLANDS.

MR, WALDEGRAYE’S REPORT,

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) AVELLINGTON, Oct. 28. A report bv Mr F- Waldegraye, Undersecretary for Justice, on bis visit to Rarotonga in company with the Chief Justice, is printed with the annual Cook Islands’ report, which was tabled in, the House of Representatives soon affer 2 a.m. on Saturday. Mr. AValdcgrave says there are one or two pressing matters that require the attention of the New Zealand Governmen. Steps ar e being taken to secure the services of a permanent assistant medical officer. There is plenty of work, for two medical men, and their duties will be' increased largely when legislation now in contemplation to deal with venereal diseases comes into force. He recommends that a judge of the New .Zealand Native Land Court be lent to the Cook Islands Administration for twelve m-ontlis to clear U" the business of the Native Land Titles Court (Sir James Carroll has announced that such a judge will be sent to the islands for six months). Mr. Waldegrave says he anticioates no difficulty in, the gradual transfer of the, schools from the London Missionary Society to the Administration. and he has no- doubt that the New Zealand Parliament will provide the necessary financial assistance. An improvement in the steamer services- is highly necessary. The service to AVellUngton is a great boon, but there is great complaint as to its inconvenience and the ■'unisuitable class of the steamers. The Union- Company has, however. purchased a steamer for'this line, and improved conditions are honed forMr. AValdegrave adds that the complaints against the local Administration have been, so fully dealt with in the report of the Chief Justice that it is not necessary to refer to them in detail. TTe Government of the group is in a state- of transition-, and every step must be tentative. “The Government lias to reconcile the conflicting interests of the European and the native in the Lest way it can. Time and patience alone will solve these difficulties, but they are not rendered more easy of solution by their removal into the domain of politics. The natives made no complaint against the Administration, but on the contrary expressed satisfaction with it. So far as I could sec the complaints of the Europeans were based more on personal than on public ground. I am satisfied that the local Administration- desires to govern the islands with proper regard to the interests of all classes of the community, hut in the practical work of administration it is impossible even if it- were desirable to please everyone.” concludes f lic report.