PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 772, 19 September 1929, Page 6

PHOSPHATE SUPPLIES

NAURU AND OCEAN ISLANDS LAST YEAR’S SHIPMENTS (THE SUE’S Parliamentary Reporter) PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Wed. A big increase over last year in the amount of phosphate shipped from Nauru and Ocean Islands is a feature of the annual report of Mr. A. F. Ellis, New Zealand Commissioner, on the British Phosphate Commission, presented to Parliament today. Phosphate shipments, compared with previous years, were:—Nauru, Island, 342,770 tons; Ocean Island, 233,820 tons; total, 576,590 tons. An increase of 74,675 tons in the quantity shipped is shown, .but the total falls short of the previous highest year, 1926-27, by 16,750 tons. The latter year was one when particularly favourable conditions were experienced at the islands as regards weather, freedom from epidemics of sickness, labour difficulties, etc. It may be noted that, under present conditions, Ocean Island has no chance of increased output, owing to the phosphate workings becoming more restricted each year through difficulties in acquiring further lands. There Is, however, reason to think that the matter will be settled within a few months. The percentages of Nauru and Ocean Islands output coming to New Zealand for the last three years are as follow: —Seventh year, 21.95 per cent.; eighth year, 24.76 per cent.; ninth year. 24.66 per cent. The commission could have supplied a further cargo this year, but it was not convenient for the manufacturers to take it, owing to their storage bins being practically full, and it was accordingly diverted to Australia.