NAURU ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 37, 13 August 1919, Page 7

NAURU ISLAND

PHOSPHATES FOB NEW ZEALAND,

One of the most important works achieved by the Eight Hon. .W. F, Massey during his connection with the Peace Conference ..was the arrangements he made for the'supply of phosphates from Nauru Island,, taken from the Germans soon after the outbreak of the war. The. agreement that has been made is, with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for the administration of the Island of Nauru, and for the distribution of the phosphates from the island. Under the agreement it is provided that the administration of the island' shall be vested in- an administrator, ;The first administrator is to be appointed by the Australian Government "for a term of five_ years, and thereafter the ap : pointment is to be made in such manner as the three Governments decide. There is also to'be a Board- of Commissioners,^ one to be appointed by each of the Governments parties to the agreement. The scheme, if adopted, will make assured a supply of phosphatic manures to this- conritry. Prior to the war the Japanese shipped phosphates from the island to Japan, converted them there into superphosphate's, and then sold these euperpiiosphates in New Zealand and other markets. Why manufacturers of fertilisers in New Zealand did riot use fertilisers from Nauru it is difficult to say, as they are of very.high quality, some of the richest in,the world. Often in the past phosphates have been applied in the form of basic slag, but supplies of this are not likely to be obtainable for many years.; In Britain tKe output of all the furnaces dealing with ores of the right* analyses has, been purchased on account of the British farmer. There will be none from Germany for some little time. . We must get our phosphates from the Pacific Islands, and this agreement will ensure that the New Zealand farmer, who will need such- fertilisers more and more in the years to -come, will get them without being compelled to pay a scarcity price for them. He will get them at a price -equal to the' cost of production with freights added, with possibly a small charge on account of administration costs. ' - ■

Interviewed on the subiect, Mr. Massey said: "I think it will be quite possible to export half a million tons of nhbsph'jites from Natirii when the enterprise is fully developed. This may not be for a few years, but when'the initial difficulties are overcome I am sure that Kew Zealand will be very glad to have these phosphates from Nauru, first becausp. the sea carriage should not be expensive over such a relatively short distance, and secondly because the phosphates are of high quality. Of the total output, which I have suggested may be 500.000 tons a year.. New Zealand will probably require 100.000 tons. Australia will need at least double this quantity, for I understand they are using phosphatic manures to treat ground being prepared for a wheat crop."