New Settlers Of
p. 14 · Read in the full issue
Phoenix Islands
From Our Own Correspondent.
Tarawa, Apr. 10.
THE B.P. motor vessel “Moamoa” leaves Tarawa about the middle of April, under contract to the G. & E.I.
Colony Government, for the purpose of embarking and transporting a ship-load of native “settlers” from the Gilberts, under the new Phoenix Islands settle ment scheme.
Since the recent purchase by the Colony Government of Burns, Philp’s leases in the Phoenix Group, officers have been sent ahead to take over the copra plantations, buildings, plant and equipment; and to establish Government headquarters and get official admini stration on a working footing, in anticipa tion of the arrival of the native settlers.
On arrival of the “Moamoa” at Phoenix Islands the settlers will be dis embarked, and the existing time-expired plantation labourers of Burns, Philp’s employ will be repatriated to their homes in the Tokelau Group (between Phoenix Group and Samoa).
The Phoenix Group, lying five degrees south of the equator, across longitudes E. 170-175, has figured prominently in Pacific affairs since the comparatively recent occupation of Canton and Ender bury Islands by British and United States units in connection with the establish ment of strategic naval and air outposts.
Other islands in the Group are Hull, Sydney, Phoenix, Gardner, McKean and Birnie.
The Phoenix Group will now form part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Crown Colony, administered from Downing Street through the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific at Suva.