PHOSPHATE MANURES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 58, 3 December 1918, Page 8

PHOSPHATE MANURES

ABOUT NGAlftr- ISLAND. Inquiries about the chances of New Zealand securing rights over the phos,,phatio. deposits on some if the little islands of the Pacific were made by Dr. j.Newman in the House of .Representatives |: yesterday. Tie said that he find understood the Prime Minister to say som'e days ago thai the, Government wore watching the interests of New Zealand in regard to the phosphate deposits on the island of Ngarli. J)r. Newman said that he had a .communication stating .that the London Trading Company had acquired.all the German interests'in this island. If this were true it would mean that this company would make profits while the New Zealand farmer would be exploited. . ■.' I Mr. Massey: The position with regard to Ngaru is simply this: j't- is ( German territory in British occupation, and I hat will be the position until the' iiltimato disposition of the island is settled at the Peace Conference. When my colleague and 1 go to Britain we propose to look after these islands at every opportunity. The honourable gentleman can bo <issiwed that New Zealand interests will be looked after in thi-r. and every , , other respect, . . Dr. Newman: But I understand that the London Trading Company has bought the German interests now. Mr. frofii?.. The Germans? Dr. Newman:.No, from Britain. Mr. Ma.osey": Britain could not sell them, and Germany could, not sell them. Nobody could dispose of the islands until the Peace Conference has decided what is to be done with tho islands.