MANDATES' COMMISSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17056, 10 June 1926, Page 7

MANDATES' COMMISSION

PROTECTING NATIVE RIGHTS. NAURU DISCUSSED AT GENEVA. i.Eicc. Tel. Copyright—United Press* Assn.J (.Australian and ;n.Z. Cable Association.) CtE.vLS A. ulule ■>■ A supplementary memorandum to the Nauru report was before tire Mandate Commission, which expressed sausmcUon. Mr J. Cook, replying to an inquiry as 10 what had Deen done 10 pri/ieet the right.; of the native-*, anhuaiKed : "The present .agreement its tor t lie payment of a. lump sum of an a re and a royalty of threepence per ton on phosphate exports till dune, 1927, after which l.'ie landowners propose that io.- tlie phosphate land there shall be an annual rental of £3 per acre, with a minimum of £1; trees to be paid for in addition to a royalty of one shining- per ton phosphate raised (not shipped as at present), the British Phosphate Commission to have, tlie option of terminating the lease period of not less than six years on a year's notice. Under the new proposal.) the Administrator will be asked to appoint, a qualified person to see that the rights of owners are conserved, to check the amount of phosphate raised, and see the Commission is not allowed to skim good parts and leave those not so good, and tjv..ensure that'the Commission work* the phosphate in a systematic manner.