Pacific.

Phosphate From Central

IN the Senate, on May 12, Senator J.

B. Hayes made enquiries regarding phosphates supplied to Australia for the year 1930-31.

The questions asked by the Senator and the replies given were as follows: What is the number of tons of phosphates supplied by the Phosphates Commission to manu facturers in Australia during the year ended June 30, 1931? —393,000 tons (including 123,000 tons obtained from sources other than Nauru and Ocean Island).

What is the total price charged for same, f.o.b. at port of shipment?—Nauru, 19/6 per ton; Ocean Island, 22/- per ton. The total charge (including cost, freight and insurance) to manufacturers in Australia for phosphate sup plied from other sources was 45/- per ton.

What are the freight charges on same, per ton?—Freight and insurance, 20/9 per ton on phosphate from Nauru and Ocean Island, plus 3/6 per ton to cover excess cost of phosphate from other sources.

Cheery Group in the New Hebrides. Madame Lancon (second from the left), formerly a Sydney girl, with friends in a cutter, near her husband's plantation, on Malekula, N.H.