Rich Nauruan

Natives

Xmas Box of £13,000

From a Special Correspondent r NAURU, Jan. 14.

E natives of Nauru are said to be the richest in the world.

While this may or may not be cor rect, it is believed that a sum of £13,000 was paid out by the Administration in the names of individual natives, early this month (January).

The money is not given directly to the individuals, but in most cases is placed in the Savings Bank accounts of those concerned, and none of it beyond a regu lar monthly sustenance allowance may be used except with the formal approval of the Administration. This acts as an effective check on foolish spending by the natives.

The story behind the payment of this large amount, which was retrospective, is an interesting one: About a year ago, during the visit of the Phosphate Commissioners to the is land, the general manager (Mr. Harold Gaze) announced the intention of the Commission to exercise its right under the terms of the agreement covering phosphate payments, to reduce the per ton royalty to native landowners from 4fd. to about one-third that amount (Ud.) for the next five-year period. As an alternative, the 4|d. per ton arrange ment to be continued, if the natives would consent to extend the general agreement for a further period of 30 years (the present agreement being due to expire in a few years’ time).

In other words, said the B.P.C. through the Administration: We propose to re duce your royalty payments by two thirds, unless you give us a 30-years’ extension of our present phosphate min ing rights. To this alternative the na tives, in spite of argument and cajolery, refused to agree. So the old agreement was adhered to, and the reduction in royalties commenced to operate.

And now, after some months, without having secured the extension of the agreement desired, it apnears that the B.P.C. have reverted to the former roy alty basis, and have paid up retrosnec tively for the past months. The effect of this magnanimous gesture on the part of the B.P.C. (who could probably have forced the hands of the natives if thev had desired), is an increase of goodwill towards the B.P.C. on the part of the natives—who cannot, however, quite comprehend the strange workings of the European business mind.

An immediate result of the receipt of this large sum of money into the native bank accounts, was a great increase in native nurchases at the local stores dur ing the New Year season. The Nauru Co-operative Store was packed out for days before Christmas.

Mr. J. Gollan, Chief Secretary of N.S.W.. accompanied by Mr. R. H. Hicks, a mem ber of the Lord Howe Island Control Board, left Sydnev by the “Morinda” on January 28 for Lord Howe, where they will investigate complaints by tourists re garding accommodation.

Mr. S. Mill, commander of the South Sea Evangelical Mission vessel “Evangel”, arrived in Sydney recently on six months’ furlough. Mr. K. Griffiths is in command of the vessel during his absence.