PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1925, Page 4

PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

NAURU AND OCEAN ISLANDS

AUCKLAND, July 27. Prospects of future development in the phosphate industry at Nauru and Ocean islands were discussed by Air A. E. Ellis, British Phosphate Com-

missioner. The first five years of Government ownership ot the industry in these islands terminated on June 30, said Mr Ellis. During the past two years there had been record shipments, totalling JoIJJOO tons from Nauru and 470.000 tons from Ocean Island. Of these quantities New Zealand took respectively GO,SCO and 08,790 tons, the latter quantity being ‘20.0 per cent of the output, as compared with 16 per vent provided for the Dominion under the Nauru agreement. It had been possible to make this increase in the quota by reason of the tact that the United Kingdom was not exercising its rights to 42 per cent, as provided in the agreement. Eortmnately there were .immense sources of supply of phosphate much closer to Great Britain than Nauru and Ocean Islands, in North Africa, and the freight cost was very much lower. The Dominion requisition for the sixth year, continued Mr Ellis, amounted' to nearly 130.000 tons, and the agricultural and pastoral development of the country pointed to a further warty increase in the demand for this high-grade product. It was being used- "mostly in the manufacture of sir er phosphates, and was largely entiling into the composition of mixed fertilisers. “In view of the increasing consumption in the Dominion and Australia, said the commissioner, ‘‘the question arises whether Nauru and Ocean Islands can cope with the demand. The commissioners consider that there "ill he no difficulty in this respect. Not only is production increasing year by year, hut improved installations of plant are being made with a view to providing for future contingencies. It is anticipated that; these developments will he financed by the commission without calling on the partner Governments for any assistance. Ihe installations referred to are being made principally with a view to increase the rate of shipping. The present system by means of lighters and oil launches, has linen brought to a high state of perfection, largely by friendly competition between the two islands. Ibis sv-lem. however, entails much labour ami is a heavy strain on the organisation. so that, new installations providing for mechanical handling will he ol great value to the industry.”