69

A.—6.

the future members of the New Zealand Parliament would again visit them. In presenting the kava-roots the speaker had said that they represented peace and love. They had been accepted as such, and lie hoped that peace would be maintained for all time They had spoken of New Zealand being in the place of a parent to them. They might well do so, for that country had Tuf M° ng r tinW pa>St llad tlle care of tlleir brethren, tlie Maoris, men of the same race as themselves, the New-Zealanders had the highest respect and regard for the Maoris, and had that same respect and regard for the Samoans, which he hoped would increase as the years went by. They asked for the protection of New Zealand. On behalf of the Dominion he assured them that New Zealand would grant them that protection not only through her own strength but also through the power and might of King George and the whole of the British Empire. Great Britain and her representatives had always been noted for their justice towards the people of other nations, and they might rely upon it that justice would be done to the Samoans also, and that their Native laws and customs would be preserved to them unless in the course of time it was mutually agreed that they should be altered. During the Great War that had just ended the British had taken perhaps a larger part than any other nation : peace had now been secured, and he hoped it would be lasting for all time. We had fought not because we loved war, but because of our obligations to other nations, and because of our desire to maintain for all nations peace and freedom. Now that the war was over we wanted to do all we could to develop the countries in which we were living and to make them happy places to live in. The number of people throughout the world was increasing, and those who held rich lands had their responsibilities in meeting the needs of others. He therefore invited them to cultivate their island as far as possible, not only to supply their own wants but to help their brethren in other parts of the world to live. With regard to the request for a wireless station the Government intended to establish better communication at a very early date. They were examining into the possibilities of a wireless telephone, and a wireless _ expert was at that very moment looking round the island to ascertain the best place for erecting a station. Regarding the request for doctors, the Minister said there needs for medical care were recognized and would be provided for. He believed that steps had already been taken to send more than one doctor, and a dispensary had already been erected on the other side of the island. Sir James concluded by again thanking the Faipules for the cordial welcome extended to the visitors. The party would take back with them to New Zealand pleasant memories of their visit to Savaii.

APPENDIX. COOK ISLANDS. Extracts from Address delivered on s.s. " Mokoia " by the Resident Commissioner, Mr. F. W. Platts, 20th February, 1920. Land-tenure. —Before annexation by Great Britain the system of land-tenure in these islands was very similar to the feudal system in England in the time of the Normans. The Arikis were the lords of all the land, which was held in fief from them by the lesser nobles, the Mataiapos and the Rangatiras, the labour being performed by the serfs. But all this had been swept away. The Arikis put down the names of the people entitled to the different blocks of land, and the Native Land Court had now individualized the titles to all the lands in at least two of the islands, Rarotonga and Aitutaki, and partly at Mauke and Atiu. In the course of time this work would be completed in all the islands of the Group. European, Settlement and its Difficulties. —There were some eighteen or twenty European settlers in Rarotonga who held land from the Natives on lease. The Natives were forbidden to alienate their lands, but might lease them, subject to the approval of the Native Land Court, up to a period of sixty years. The Natives were no longer willing to lease their land to Europeans, for they at length realized that it was restricted in area. Recently the Commissioner had circularized the southern islands of the Group asking what lands were available for leasing to Europeans, and. the reply was " Nil." It took a coconut plantation ten years to come into full bearing, and during that time the planter had to maintain himself. He therefore required capital. It was impossible to carry on the plantations without Native labour, for Europeans found work in this climate very trying. The best labourers were the Mangaians, who received from £2 10s. to £3 a month for their services. Freezer. —The establishment of a freezer at Rarotonga had done much to mitigate the hardships of life on that island. Before its introduction the European residents had been mainly dependent upon tinned foods for general supplies. Now they were able to obtain fresh meat and butter regularly. The Administration imported supplies monthly from New Zealand and retailed them at a reasonable rate to the residents. Ice was also supplied. Sanatorium. —Consumption was prevalent amongst the islanders, They themselves did not recognize its danger. For the purpose of segregating those suffering from this dread complaint a sanatorium was to be erected at Rarotonga. Education. —The value and necessity of education were very fully recognized by the Administration. There were eight schools in the Group, with thirty-two teachers and 1,100 children. Tire last school opened was at Mangai. There was great trouble in obtaining teachers, for a successful teacher, must have something of the spirit of the missionary in him. The Natives themselves were keenly interested in education, and the change it had wrought amongst them was already strongly marked. At the schools the children were not only educated in the ordinary