Banabans
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
$200,000 in lump sum for Banabans
The 2,000 Banabans of Rabi Island, Fiji, are being given a lump sum of $200,000 “in con sideration of the effects of phos phate mining upon Ocean Island since 1900”. Ocean Island is their former home.
The decision to pay the lump sum was announced in the House of Commons early in June by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Mrs.
Judith Hart.
Her statement followed talks with two Banaban leaders, Rotan Tito, 67, and his son, the Rev.
Tebuke Rotan, who went to London in April to demand more than the 70 cents royalty they now receive. The Banabans were accompanied by their legal adviser, Mr. Mike Saunders, of Suva.
Besides the lump sum of $200,000, Britain agreed to give the Banabans more technical assistance for the economic and social development of Rabi Island, which has been their home since 1947.
The Banabans, in turn, agreed that the division of proceeds from Ocean Island phosphate should continue as at present, but reserved the right to argue for changes later. They also want to retain their rights on Ocean Island, Ocean Island, which is part of Britain’s Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, is worked by the British Phosphate Com missioners, who also exploit the phosphate deposits on Nauru.