NAURU ISLAND

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18425, 4 July 1925, Page 9

NAURU ISLAND

REPORT TO MANDATES x COMMISSION. (BT CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPTRIGHT.) (avstbaliax axd x.z. cable association.) GENEVA, July 2. The Mandates Commission considered a report on the administration of the territories under the Australian mandate, including Nauru. Replying to interrogation* by members- of tha Commission, Sir Joseph Cook (Australian High Commissioner) said the Administration had granted twenty-four leases during the year and five mineral fields had been proclaimed, of which 1lh.« Merobe goldfield produced !t3500 ounces. Analysing the finance of the territory, ■Sir Jos-eph Cook estimated that there would be a revenue of £248,000, slightly below the previous year, though thfc revenue from taxation increased by £12,000 during the year. A branch of the Commonwealth Bank had been established on the island of which the island chiefs were in charge. This aimed at encouraging the natives to be thrifty. He r-lso described the success of the co-operative store. The Naurians filled all the minor administrative appointments, and when bettor educational facilities were available there was nothing to prevent practically the whole of the service appointments in the course of time Iking filled by natives. The Commission expressed satisfaction with the meaner in which the report was drawn up and presented, and expressed the hope that there would bo a oontinuance of the marked earnestness in the administration of the mandate in the spirit of the Treaty.