Nauru phosphate agreement

AS was to be anticipated the House of Representatives has made no difficulty over the ratification of the agreement between Imperial, Australian, and New Zealand Governments respecting the administration of Nauru Island and the mining of phosphate deposits there. The agreement provides that each of the three Governments shall be entitled to an allotment of the phosphates produced in each year, in the proportion of 42 percent for Great Britain, 42 percent for Australia, and 16 percent for New Zealand, and that each Government shall contribute towards the cost of buying out the interests of the Pacific Phosphate Company in a corresponding proportion. It is also provided that the basis of the allotment of phosphates shall be readjusted every five years in accordance with the actual requirements of each country. Mr Massey’s belief that it is of great importance to New Zealand that she should share in the utilisation of the phosphate deposits of Nauru Island was supported on his part by a vigorous assertion at the Peace Conference of the claim of this dominion to an interest in the future of the island. Mr Hughes seems to have gone to the conference with the hope of securing for Australia sole control of this valuable island. In the circumstances the claim put forward on behalf of New Zealand encountered a great deal of opposition from him. Mr Hughes was unable, however, to carry his purpose and after considerable negotiation,

the argument was settled by Great Britain taking up the mandate for Nauru with Australia and New Zealand as partners in the terms of the agreement. It is to Mr Massey’s credit that he successfully pressed claims the recognition of which he regards as highly important in the light of the requirements of agriculturalists in New Zealand.