Phosphate Deal

Talks With Economic Advisers

Banabans Seek Better Phosphate Deal

By a Staff Writer

The Banaban people of Rabi Island, in the Fiji Group, are having talks with a Sydney firm of economic advisers in an effort to get a better deal on phosphate royalties.

HHE firm, Philip Shrapnel and Co.

L Pty. Ltd., are economic advisers • the Nauru Local Government ouncil and they were instrumental the Nauruans receiving greatly in eased phosphate royalties earlier is year.

Mr. K. E. Walker, one of the incipals in the firm, flew to Suva early November to talk with embers of the Rabi Island Council, tie meeting was arranged through e council’s legal advisers, Wm. :ott and Co., of Suva.

The Banabans are the owners of lsland, the rich phosphate and which is part of the Gilbert id Ellice Islands Colony.

It is not far from Nauru and both ands are being worked by the itish Phosphate Commissioners, io represent the British, Australian d NZ Governments.

Moved In 1945

The whole population of Ocean and was moved to Rabi in 1945. :ean Island had been devastated by i war, and it was accepted that ' phosphate would eventually be hausted, that a move would one y be necessary, and that this would Dbably be the best time for it.

The meeting with the economic visers follows publication in PIM October of a report pointing out it today the islanders are labour \ under a severe sense of injustice, ey consider that Britain has glected and ignored them on Rabi J stolen their phosphate royalties.

The Banabans receive royalties of 8 a ton. but another 23/- a ton paid to the GEIC Government— ;h which the Banabans are not w identified, as they pay their ;es to Fiji.

Phe Banabans say they cannot /elop their new island, nor can y educate their children properly

nor plan for the future, because they get too small a share of the phos phate money. They compare their present plight with the Nauruans, who now receive 17/6 a ton royalties for their phosphate and in addition have the advantage of cheap food and commodity prices and no taxes.

The talks in Suva will discuss ways of getting Banaban representation be fore the British Colonial Office.

GONE FINISH. Gone south to live per manently in Australia—"gone finish" as they say in the Territory—is Morobe identity Mr. A. J. Bretag, after more than 40 years in P-NG. For a report, see p. 143.