CHINA AND JAPAN.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 February 1919, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN.

PEKIN, February 18

The Government has . instructed its delegates to acquaint the Peace Conference with the contents of a number of Chino - Japanese agreements, and to continue to act according to their discretion.

NAURU ISLAND.

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIAN CLAIMS LONDON February 18.

Official: In reference to the 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 of 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 phosphate deposits. He emphasises the fact that New Zealand, like Australia, is already a large producing country, which requires, in order to maintain the fertility of depleted soil, a good supply of phosphates at a reasonable price. There are ample supplies both at Nauru and Ocean Islands, which are about equidistant from Auckland and Sydney. Mr Massey urges that these supplies should be made available for New Zealand and Australia, and exPresses confidence that the British Government will do what is right in the circumstances.