NAURU ISLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10277, 12 May 1919, Page 5

NAURU ISLAND

BRITISH EMPIRE I©,^E,.MAN~ a ,- DATORY. .-^. THE POSITION EXPLAINED. Australian and'-N.K. Cable Association, LONDON, May 9. Official: Much interest has been taken by Australians and •ers in the disposal of -"tiie island 1 r oF Nauru, in the. South Pacific,-which lia8 : \ been finally dealt with by tfie Counoii I of the Allied Powers in a manner dit'-. 1 ferent from other former German colonies, the mandate having been given to the British Empire. JMr Massey.' contended from the outset of the consideration of' and conferences on the subject, that as a., producing .country requiring phosphates, New Zealand., was vitally interested in the ■> fate of the islands, and suggested- it should bo held under a form .of mandate which would conserve the interests of both Australia and New Zealand;'.. Ob- : jection to this was raised by the-Aus-tralian delegate. The Colonial Office thought the mandate should go to the British Empire, so that all thair;' interests might be considered,: J aiid" So this .Mr Massey Australia again objeoted,'--urging that. Australia had -taken • To"' this the reply wfes' that possession meant for the Empire, not for any part of it. --'' ~ ; ; .~ w .r.., -'.-,-- The official notice.thai.Naurutisito. be placed under »a jnandafcp-'to'thw British Empire may- be interpreted to mean that the mandate JBttovß-ritain, •■ Australia, and*-New the" administration under •'a—Connnisslttn. In view of the'fact that'there is''no" more basic slag available in-Great Britain for New Zealand farmers, -it* is essential that satisfactory arrange-"' ments should bo made 4of. the iupply" of phosphates. . '■■<■■■ ■■'•,■■

AUSTRALIA MAY GET UNCONDITIONAL MANDATE.- ;

United. Service Telejraic^, ,? "*"''""' (Received* May II; 5.5 p.m.) PARIS. May 6. ■Mr Keith Murdoch 'wKtesTEat "fine" Council re-discussed , amongst ■• other matters relating to German possessions' that of Nauru Island. Aheated controversy arose between Mr Hughes antt Mr Massey. The allotment of the mandate to the Empire- is a, -temporary solution, and Lord Milner is coming to Paris to bring matters to finality. There is now a. strong probability of Mr Lloyd George intervening and Australia getting an unconditional, mandate, thus upsetting the British compatiy' which, during •th©>war, bought * l German shares for £570,000 and kept the price of phosphate "rfar and now stand to: make, colossal fortunes.