Small Increase In Nauruan
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
Population
THE native population of Nauru is again on the increase. Official figures, issued on April 30, showed the total native population of the island as 1,376 —24 more than for the previous year.
This figure, however, is 512 less than than shown by a census in 1942, at the time of the Japanese invasion.
Almost 30 per cent, of the Nauruans were wiped out during the Japanese occupation, and those who did survive have not yet completely recovered from the effects of that period. On a com parative basis, Australia would have lost 2% millions of her population.
At a recent meeting of the Nauruan Council of Chiefs, financial plans for the next 20 years were discussed. Of the male population, over 16 years of age, 78 per cent, are employed by the Admin istration or by the British Phosphate Commission as tradesmen, clerks, typists, wireless operators, transport drivers, gen eral labourers, etc.
Besides the native Nauruans there are on the island 192 Europeans, about 1,100 Chinese and 31 Gilbertese.