NAURU ISLAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 125, 20 February 1919, Page 5

NAURU ISLAND

MR, MASSEY URGES THE NEED OF PHOSPHATES , (fteo. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 18. 'Official.—ln reference to tho disposal of Nauru, a small island south of the Equator for which Mr. Hughes, on behalf of Australia, has lodged a claim for mandatory control, Mr. Massey has circulated among the British Empire delegates, a memorandum explaining New Zealand's interests in the future ot Nauru, pointing out that although this island was formerly held by Germany, for many years it was exploited by a'British company, by arrangement with the German authorities, for its phosphates deposits. . Mr. Massey emphasises the fact that New Zealand, like Australia, is already a large producing country which requires, in order to maintain the lertility of tho depleted soil, a supply of phosphates at a reasonable price. There are ample supplies at both Nauru and Ocean Island, which are nbout equidistant from Auckland and Sydney. Mr. Massey urges that these supplies should bo made available for New Zealand and Australia, and expresses confidence that the British Government will do n hat is right in tho circumstances.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.