Minister Sees

Nauru For Himself

The Australian Minister for Territories, Mr. C. E. Barnes, paid his first visit to Nauru early in August. He arrived from Brisbane in an RAAF air craft, an infrequent sight at Nauru as the island has no regular air services.

Mr. Barnes spent two days inspecting Administration estab lishments and the phosphate workings. With him were Mr.

G. Warwick Smith, Secretary of the Territories Department, and Messrs. C. E. Reseigh, C. A.

Mcßae . R. W. Clarke and W. T.

Doig. Mr. Clarke is acting Nauruan Welfare Officer in Melbourne and Mr. Doig is with

the Department of External Affairs.

Speaking in Port Moresby on August 5 on the way home, Mr.

Barnes said that no effort would be made by the Aus tralian Government to rush a decision by the Nauruans on their future home. They would be given every facility and help.

Although this statement was made before the meeting in Canberra ended in deadlock, it can be taken as an indication that the Australian Government is not concerned at the present attitude of the Nauruan leaders and feels that, given time, a solution can be worked out.

Shortly before Mr. Barnes’ flying visit, Mr. George Gray, MP for Capricornia, Queens land, visited Nauru by ship to give the Nauruans details about Curtis Island. The island is in Mr. Gray’s electorate. His visit was an informal one.