“Pleasant Island!"

Reports of Serious Friction on Nauru

THERE are persistent reports of seri ous friction at Nauru Island between officials themselves, between the offi cials and the British Phosphate Commis sion chiefs, and between the Europeans and the natives. Our information is;— That the natives are showing a re luctance to renew the phosphate agree ment (under which they are beneficiar ies and, incidentally, probably the rich est aborigines in the world). The agree ment expires soon. The natives give as their reason their lack of faith in the Administration.

That the attitude of certain high offi cials of the British Phosphate Commis sion on Nauru is arrogant and intoler ant, especially towards their subordin ates and towards certain officials of the Government, and that their behaviour has made life generally very difficult on the island.

These gentlemen apparently want to exercise a dictatorship, in which they shall be arbiters of all social, industrial, and administrative activities.

That there is grave friction between the Administrator and certain senior of ficials, and that charges reflecting up on the administration have been made to Canberra.

It is natural that there should be pri mitive savagery and back-biting in a community so small and isolated as that on Nauru; taut present conditions there appear to go far beyond mere petty squab bling.

One report is that friction all round is serious and that unless Canberra makes a serious inquiry into the position—and especially into officialdom’s attempt to cruelly sacrifice one or two officials with a good record—there will be an explosion which will react badly upon the Mandate over Nauru (held jointly by Britain, Aus tralia and New Zealand).

The former name of Nauru, by the way, was “Pleasant Island”!

On March 28, the Papuan Rubber Com pany was registered in Port Moresby un der th,e Firms’ Ordinance, with the object of planting rubber at loma in the North ern Division. Partners of the firm are Messrs. R. Durcher and A. E. Spellacy.