NAURU ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 48, 25 February 1921, Page 7

NAURU ISLAND

QUESTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

(ONITM) FRBSS ASSOCIATION.—COPXKI«HT.)

(AVITRALIAN.- Kt\r ZEAI.ANV CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 22nd February.

Replying to a question by Commander Kenworthy in the House of Commons as ■to-whether an Administrator for Nauru Island had b.gen appointed, the Minister stated that under the agreement Australia would appoint the first Administrator, but so far the Government had not been notified that any' action had been taken- ■

[It was aunbunced in Melbourne a few days ago that the Federal Cabinet had appointed Brigadier-General T. Griffiths as Administrator of Nauru Island. The purchase of the island of Nauru waa a deal in which Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand Were interested, Great Britain and Australia each contributing 42 per cent., and New Zealand 16 pet- cent. The cost of administration will be distributed in the SRme proportion. It was decided by the Federal Cabinet that although the office of Administrator was originally advertised at £1000 a year, the salary should be £1500. The Prime Minister (Mr. W. M. Hughes) explained that in view of the fact that the three Commissioners responsible for the working of the phosphates deposits are receiving £2000 a year each, an anomalous position \Voukl be created if the Administrator received only £1000. BrigadierGelierai Griffiths is at present acting as Administrator of Rabaitl. Prior to his appointment to this position he was associated with the- administrative staff of the Commonwealth .military forces for nearly twenty years. He was a- staff clerk at Victoria Barracks at the inauguration of the Commonwealth, and upon the creatibn of the Military Board' in 1908 Was appointed secretary. On the outbreak of war he Was appointed to the administrative staff nf -the A.IF., and served in Egypt and on Ga-llipoli, where, as in Australia in time of peace, he was remarkable for his tireless energfv. In 1917 he assumed command of the~A'.l.F. administrative headquarters in Horse-ferry-xoad, London. He was awarded the C.M.G. and the D.S.O. in recognition of his services abroad.]-