A PHOSPHATE ISLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1919, Page 2

A PHOSPHATE ISLAND.

MR MASSEY'S VIEWS London, Feb. 18. In reference to the disposal of Nauru, a small island south of the equator, for which Mr Hughes, oil behalf of Australia, lias 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 Herman authorities for phosphates 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 its depleted soil, a good supply "of phosphates at a reasonable price. There are ample supplies at both Nauru and Ocean Island, 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— Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.