H.—29

12

NAURU AND OCEAN ISLANDS PHOSPHATE. Report of A. F. Ellis, C.M.Gr., New Zealand Commissioner, British Phosphate Commission. The ninth year of operations at Nauru and Ocean Islands under Government ownership terminated on 30th June, 1929, with the following results as regards phosphate shipments, compared with the previous year: — Eighth Year (1927-28). Ninth Year (1928-29). Tons. Tons. Nauru .. .. .. .. .. 310,990 342,770 Ocean .. .. .. .. .. 190,925 233,820 501,915 576,590 Bill-of-lading figures are taken in each case. An increase of 74,675 tons in quantity shipped will be noted, but falling short of our previous highest year (seventh year) 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, &c. The year just ended was what may be called a normal year, in that bad weather was experienced during the months when it is due, and the usual difficulties with shipping were encountered, though we were fortunate in not having any of the moorings carried away. When the fine season started rapid progress was made, and in May a record month's work was established, viz., Nauru, 44,500 tons ; Ocean, 23,825 tons : total, 68,325 tons. The previous best month for Nauru was 41,931 tons, shipped in June, 1928. As regards phosphate dried and stored ready for shipment, the ninth year constitutes a record, the figures for the last three years being as follows : — Seventh Year. Eighth Year. Ninth Year. Tons. Tons. Tons. Nauru .. .. .. .. 326,695 332,230 346,764 Ocean .. .. .. .. 255,362 195,900 251,749 . 582,057 528,130 598,513 In this connection it may be noted that under present conditions Ocean Island has no chance of an increased output owing to the phosphate-workings becoming more restricted each year through the difficulties in acquiring further lands. There is, however, reason to think the matter will be settled within a few months. Importations of Nauru/Ocean phosphate and phosphate from outside sources of supply for the last three years are as follows : — Seventh Year. Eighth Year. Ninth Year. Tons. Tons. Tons. Nauru/Ocean .. .. .. 139,535 136,718 138,053 Outside .. .. .. .. 10,415 42,946 29,288 149,950 179,664 167,341 With regard to the percentage of Nauru/Ocean output coming to New Zealand, figures for the last three years are as follows : Seventh year, 21-95 per cent. ; eighth year, 24-76 per cent. ; ninth year, 24-66 per cent. We 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. A statement follows giving particulars of shipments of Nauru and Ocean Islands phosphate during 1928-29, together with the countries of destination.

Shipments of Nauru and Ocean Island Phosphates, 1st July, 1928, to 30th June, 1929.

Totals. Australia. I New Zealand. Tons. Per Cent. Tons. Per Cent. | Tons. Per Cent. Nauru. July-December, 1928 .. .. 166,792 100 117,170 70-25 49,622 29-75 January-June, 1929 .. .. 175,978 100 136,950 77-82 39,028 22-18 Full year .. .. 342,770 100 254,120 74-14 88,650 1 25-86 Ocean Island. July-December, 1928 .. .. 127,460 100 97,315 76-35 30,145 23-65 January-June, 1929 .. .. 106,360 100 82,960 78-00 ! 23,400 22-00 Full year .. .. 233,820 100 180,275 77-10 53,545 22-90 Nauru and Ocean Islands. July-December, 1928 .. .. 294,252 100 214,485 72-89 79,767 I 27-11 January-June, 1929 .. .. 282,338 100 219,910 77-89 62,428 , 22-11 Full year .. .. 576,590 100 434,395 75-34 142,195 24-66 Note. —Eighth year shipments : Australia, 377,645 tons = 75-24 per cent.; New Zealand, 124,270 tons = 24-70 per cent.