"Feasible" To

Rehabilitate

Nauru Lands

The committee appointed by

he Australian Government to eport on whether it is possible d rehabilitate Nauru’s worn-out hosphate lands has finished its

sport.

T is understood that the committee has said it is technically feasible ) refill some of the worked-out hosphate lands with soil. The coral nnacles would be blasted down and jlldozed flat before the refilling.

The question of cost was not nong the committee’s terms of ference.

The committee, consisting of Mr. . I. Davey, chairman; Professor J. jwis and Mr. W. F. Van Beers, ent two weeks on Nauru in ;bruary. Its report will be avail ile for the important conference be held in Canberra in May, to scuss a final settlement on the icration and ownership of Nauru’s osphate. The Nauruans will ask at the BPC become managing ents for them.

Independence Question

The Nauruans also intend to con iue their quest for complete lependence by 1968, following ap intment in February of a select mmittee to investigate ways of hieving it (P/M, March, p. 15). istralia has refused to fix any get dates for self-government for : Nauruans.

There was a warm debate in the uruan dominated Nauru Legislative uncil when Head Chief Hammer Roburt, who is leader of the cted members, moved for the ;ct committee to be appointed, fhe Nauruans asked for five :ted members and two official mbers to be appointed to the com :tee, but the Administration refused nominate official members for it.

Administration members attacked motion as premature and said Nauruans should make the new mcil work first. <lr. Deßoburt said, “Elected nbers have spoken on the aspira i of the Nauruan people to have jpendence by a certain date and our sincere hope that this council, the Administration, will co rate with us to achieve this goal.”

>ee "Independence Forum"

). 27.