To Liberate Ocean Island

and Nauru Australia's Request

STRONG representations have been

made by Australia to Great Britain with the object of having a military force of necessary strength applied to the task of liberating Ocean Island and Nauru. This was stated by Mr. Chifley, Acting Prime Minister, in answer to a question in' the Australian House of Re presentatives on May 10.

Mr. Chifley said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, had taken the matter up with Great Britain some 'time ago, and that, as well, the liberation of these islands had been discussed with Mr.

Churchill during Mr. Curtin’s visit to London last year.

It is believed that the British Govern ment discussed the matter with the Chiefs-of-Staff of the Allied Nations, but so far no reply to Australia’s request has been received. (EDITORIAL NOTE: Nauru and Ocean Island, pre-war, supplied Australasia with virtually all of its superphosphate, Aus tralian farmers at present are receiving barely half of requirements, and food production is suffering accordingly.)