NAURA ISLAND.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 3784, 10 May 1919, Page 2

NAURA ISLAND.

RICH IN PHOSPHATES . UNDER BRITISH MANDATE. Mil. MASSEY SCORES FOR OUR FARMERS. (Aue.-N.Z. Cable Association.) (Official.) London, May 9. Much interest has been taken by •Vustralians and New Zealanders iv the disposal of the island of Nauru, a mass of rich phosphates, in the .south Pacific. This-: was ueeii iiually dealt with by the Council of the Alued iPowers in a manner different, from tlio other former German coloniea. A Mandate has been given over it to the British Empire. Premier Massey contended from the outset of the Conference on the subject that, as a producing country requiring phosphates, New Zealand was vitally interested in the fate of the island!. He .suggested that it should be held under a form of mandate, -whichwould conserve the- interests of both Australia and New Zealand. Objection to this was raised by Prumior Hughes, of Australia. The British Colonial Office thought the mandate should go to the British Bmpirej, so thati Vil their interests might be considered . To this Mr Maesey was willing to consent. ■ ■ Australia again objected, urging that they had, taken possession of this island, and .therefore, that possession mdairtf that it was for he Empire, and not for any part of it. The official notice that Nauru .will be placed under a mandate to the British Epire may he interpreted to mean that Britain, Australia, and Xe\r Zealand will have its admiuisr tration, under a Commissioner.^ Tn , view of the fact that there is no more basic slag available in Britain, for export?,to New Zealand farmers, it is essential that satisfactory arrangements should be made for the supply of phosphates.