PHOSPHATES OUTPUT

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 191, 8 May 1924, Page 8

PHOSPHATES OUTPUT

FROM NAURU AND OCEAN ISLANDS PRICE UNFAVOURABLE TO BRITAIN By Tblegbaph.— Pbf.ss Association. Copyright. London, May 6. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary for the Colonies, replied to several questions in regard to Nauru. He said that the output of phosphates at Nauru and Ocean Islands since Government control totalled 1,253,270 tons, of which Britain had received 32,300 tons, Australia 794,570 tons, and New Zealand 126,800 tons. The last shipment to Britain was in November, 1921, but it is presumed that the- price was unfavourable. The present price is 15s. below that of the last British cargo, and even then the approximate price delivered in Britain is 3s. above the pre-war price. Mr. Thomas added regarding the allotment of 42 per cent, of the output to Britain that it is impossible to give any guarantee concerning future adjustments between the three Governments concerned.—Sydney “Sun” Cables.