A—3

The Public Service At present the majority of the senior positions are filled by officers recruited in New Zealand for service with the Cook Islands Administration. Local Maoris and Europeans are also employed, the majority of the employees being Maori. It is hoped that in the future more of the higher positions will be filled by Cook Islanders at present being educated in New Zealand under a Government scholarship scheme.

Penal Administration As at the 31st March, 1949, the Police Force in the Group consisted of the following officers :

The Force is recruited in the Group, the only European being the Chief Officer. The conduct of the Force has been good, but it was necessary to dismiss one constable at Raro tonga. There has been no serious crime in the area during the last twelve months—the number of prosecutions brought by the police in the period was 1,475. The party of New Zealand police brought to Rarotonga during 1947 to assist in dealing with the industrial disputes has returned to New Zealand with the exception of one Sergeant and one constable. The Police Force is responsible for the censoring of films, and during the year 167 films were censored and 8 were rejected as unsuitable for exhibition and several others were cut. A total of 261 dogs were registered during the period, the fees collected totalling £l3O 10s. Licence fees for motor-vehicles amounting to £212 10s. were collected during theyear : Annual licences —46 motor-trucks, 20 motor-cars, and 26 £ s. d. motor-cycles) .. .. .. .. 152 10 0 13 passenger licences .. .. .. .. 16 10 0 8 changes of ownership .. .. .. .. 2 0 0 118 motor-driver's licences .. .. .. .. 29 10 0 * 23 registrations .. .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 £212 10 0 E. Human Rights Where statutory law does not provide, the common law of England as at 1840 applies. Statutory law gives the people the protection of certiorari, habeas corpus, and also affords peculiar protection of land and contractual -relationship.

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Island. Chief Officer. Senior Sergeant. Sergeant. Constables. Totals. Rarotonga 1 1 1 8 11 Aitutaki 1 6 7 Mangaia 1 5 6 Atiu o 6 Mauke 1 3 4 Mitiaro 1 2 3 Manihiki .. .. 3 3 Rakahanga .. 2 3 Penrhyn .. .. 3 3 Pukapuka .. 3 3 • Totals 1 2 6 40 49