AUSTRALIA’S NAURU MANDATE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 280, 6 November 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S NAURU MANDATE

EVIDENCE BEFORE COMAIISSION. (Received 6, 9,15 a.m.) Cenewa,' Nov. 5. Sir Joseph Cook told the Mandates Commission that, owing to the deleterious effect of the work on the Nauru phosphate held on New Guinea natives, the Administrator had taken • steps to repatriate them. The Administrator emphasised that the Phosphate Commission had done all that was humanly possible to safeguard the health of the New Guinea natives, but the nature of the work and the diet to which they ar© unaccustomed was inimical to their welfare, and in some cases inimical to their health. Further entry of natives would be prohibited. The delegates lengthily questioned tiir Joseph Cook concerning slavery, labour conditions, arms traffic, the manufacture of alcohol, prohibition, abuses thereof, liberty of conscience, military clauses, economic equality and education policySir Joseph stated that with the exception ot small allotment held by the Government and missions, the whole island was owned by individual natives. A board was now engaged in defining the boundaries, and each owner would be given a certificate when the survey was completed. The commission, generally, wag very : satisfied with the administration of : th© mandate. —(A. and N.Z.)