THE NAURU MANDATE

Southland Times, Issue 19394, 7 November 1924, Page 5

THE NAURU MANDATE

EMPLOYMENT OF NEW GUINEA NATIVES. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). GENEVA, November 5. Sir Joseph Cook told the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations that owing to the deleterious effect of work on the Nauru phosphate field on New Guinea natives, the Administrator had taken steps to repatriate them. Hie Administrator emphasised that the Phosphate Commission had done all that was humanly possible to safeguard the health of New Guinea natives, but the nature of the work and diet, to which they were not accustomed, was inimical to their welfare and in some cases inimical to health. The further entry of natives would be prohibited. The delegates questioned Sir Joseph Cook at length concerning slavery, labour conditions, arms traffic, the manufacture of alcohol, prohibition and abuses, liberty of conscience, military clauses, economic equality and education policy. Sir Joseph Cook stated that with the exception of small allotments held by the Government and missions the whole island was owned by individual natives. The Board is now engaged in defining the boundaries. Each owner will be given a certificate when the survey is completed. The Commission generally was very satisfied with the administration of the Mandates.