PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES
STOCKS IN DOMINION
STORED IN THE OPEN
COMMISSION DEALING WITH SITUATION
(By Telegraph—Press Association.)
AUCKLAND, December 29
"The damage to the plant at Nauru Island is a grievous loss, but I can say that we have already begun to take steps to deal with the situation," said Sir Albert Ellis, New Zealand member of the British Phosphate Commission, in an interview.
"At present, of course, it is possible to speak only in general terms, but I am in close touch with the central office of the Commission in Melbourne, and I hope to make more specific information available before long."
In anticipation of war risks, Sir Albert continued, additional stocks of rock phosphate had been built up in New Zealand since about the beginning of the present year. Material had been stored in varying quantities in the open at various fertiliser works, and had been drawn upon simultaneously with indoor stocks. The use to be made of these extra stocks in the present emergency was naturally bound up with what the Commission would do to make up for the reduction in output from Nauru. NO NEED FOR ALARM. "There is no need for farmers to 'get the wind up,1" he added. "This Is just a difficulty to be overcome, and we are going to use every available means to overcome it. We are already in touch with other sources of supply." Sir Albert went on to say that at the time of the raider's attack there was a stock of about 60,000 tons of crusTied and dried rock phosphate on Nauru. While it was impossible to be definite at this stage, he felt certain that means of shipping it would be found, though the process would necessarily be slow in comparison with the loading from the cantilever. He recalled that some years ago, when all demands could not be met from Nauru and Ocean Islands, the Commission had purchased supplies from Makatea and Christmas Islands in the Pacific, and from Florida and Morocco.
So far as repairs to the Nauru plant were concerned, Sir Albert said the magnitude of the task had yet to be assessed. However, the Commission had on its staff men with a wealth of special experience that would be of the highest value. They had been tackling the greatest possible difficulties for many years past, and he was sure they would rise to this occasion.
AWARDS BY THE KING
(British Official Wireless.)
RUGBY, December 28
Awards announced in the London Gazette include three George Crosses, four George Medals, and two British Empire Medals—one to a leading "Wren," Miss Nina Marsh.
For gallant and successful service in destroying the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni, two officers from H.M.A.S. Sydney gain the D.5.0., two the D.S.C., and six ratings the D.S.M. Four D.S.C.s and six D.S.M.S are awarded for courage and continuous service with the Channel mobile balloon barrage, two D.S.C.s and six D.C.M.s for good service in action against enemy raiders, and one D.S.M. for courage and devotion to duty in the first battle of Narvik.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 156, 30 December 1940, Page 7
Word Count
510PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 156, 30 December 1940, Page 7
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