NAURU ISLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16902, 29 November 1922, Page 5

NAURU ISLAND.

QUESTION OF CHINESE LABOUR.

By Telosrapb—Pres? Association —Copyright Australian anti N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. November 27. Sir Joseph Cook, High Commissioner tor Australia, replying to Press at- J tacks on the methods of carrying out the Pacific mandates, writes: “They merely rchasu old criticisms, which have already been answered." He points out that nearly eighteen per cent of the output of Nauru Island has been sold outside of Britain. Australia and New Zealand. The whole of the Governments did not derive a profit from the working of the phosphate deposits. The scream for equai trading rights came principally from great world monopolies. With reference to Chinese labour. Sir Joseph Cook points out that it is necessary. 1 because native labour is not obtain- 1 able. The Press allegation that the . Nauru Island mandate results in the j subordination of education, health and | justice for the natives to the purpose * of winning phosphates. Sir Joseph Cook i declared to be simply untrue. The subject of the administration of ■ Nauru Island has been freely discussed ! in the New Zealand Parliament, as \ well as by a section of the Press in j England. Nauru was surrendered by the Germans on September 9. 1914. In j accordance with the terms of the capi- S' tulation. local laws and customs were | continued, as far ns practicable, and I a civil administration was established i oil January 1. 1915. The change from I German to British rule was effected j without any break in the ordinary life j ol the island. The main difference ‘ between the two systems, from a native ! point of view, was that whereas, under I the German rule, the people were left I entirely to themselves, provided the I poll-tax was paid regularly. Linder the j new regime they found themselves i called upon to take part in the im- I provement of the island, hygienically. ! socially and administratively. The man- i date for its administration was conferred I on the British Empire. As approved j by the League of Nations, the mandate j was dated December 17. 1920. By ar- j agreement, Australia, appointed the • first administrator for a term of five ! years, and the expenses of ad mi nil's- I tration have to be defrayed out of the j proceeds of the sale of phosphates, j The population of Nauru in 1920 was } as follows: Europeans. 91: Chinese, ! 599; Nauruana, 1008; other South Sea i Islanders, 22.. There are no Govern- ■ ment schools on the island for natives, j but the Roman Catholic and Protestant Missions maintain schools. A ! school for European children has been j established, and a teacher has been oh- j . tained on loan from Victoria. The j phosphate mined on the island by the I British Phosphate Commission, and i exported to Great Britain, Australia, i and New Zealand, has been as follows: I -—1916. 105.012 tons; 1917, 101,267 tons; j I 191 S. 76,440 tons, 1919, 6 9..3-36 tons* i 1920, 149,609 tons.