CONDITIONS AT NAURU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16928, 30 December 1922, Page 17

CONDITIONS AT NAURU.

THE NATIVES SATISFIED.

By Tnle;n*a.ph—Preso Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cahlo Association. MELBOURNE, December 29. Mr Vi . M. Hughes hua received & memorandum, signed by the head chief and twelve other chiefs at Nauru Is land, defending tho present administration of the island. Tho memorandum refers no the statements by persons in authority that tho interests of Nauruans are not being so well looked after under British us they were under German rule, and replies to these statements that tho Nauruans are grateful for all the Administration hai don© to advance the interests, of their people. They are specially grateful u the League of Nations for placing them under the protection of so great a nation as Britain. “We have far greater freedom now' than under German rule. ’ says the memorandum, “and it is doubtful w’hether the people of other small countries enjoy such freedom as ours.” The memorandum compares British methods concerning their pro porfcv interests and their improving of social and moral welfare, with the previous German tyrannical exploitation, and expresses the hope that in the near future the island may become part of the great Empire.

The administration of Nauru Island was recently the subject of discussion in the House of Commons. It was contended by some that the interests of the Nauru islanders were being sub ordinatod to those of the Europeans engaged in commercial enterprises.