mini-nation

Background to a mini-nation

The Republic of Nauru, which attained its independence on January 31, will be the world’s smallest nation—with an in digenous population of only 3,100 and an area of 5,263 acres.

But it will also be one of the wealthiest nations per capita, due to its extensive high-grade phosphate deposits.

Total population is about 6,000, comprising Chinese, Europeans and Gilbert and Ellice Islanders working the phosphate.

Nauru was first sighted by Euro peans in 1798. Foreign domination began in 1888 when Nauru was occupied by Germany then busy expanding its colonial interests in the Pacific. German control lasted until World War I, when Australia took control.

In 1920 the island formally became a British mandated territory under the League of Nations with Britain, Australia and New Zealand accept ing the trustee mandate.

1,200 deported

In World War 11, the island was shelled by a German raider in December, 1940, and bombed by the Japanese before they occupied it in August, 1942. It was then frequently bombed by Allied aircraft.

The sinking of Japanese supply ships made the food situation desperate, and during the Japanese occupation 1,200 Nauruans were deported to the Japanese garrison on Truk in the Carolines to work as forced labourers.

After the war ended, the survivors —only 737 out of I,2oo—were re turned to Nauru. The remaining 463 had died of starvation, disease and Japanese brutality.

The date of the reunion of the survivors with those who had re mained on Nauru was January 31, 1946. This is why the Nauruans chose that day first as the date for establishment of the Legislative Council (in 1966) and again to mark independence.

Australian control of Nauru con tinued from 1947 when it was made a United Nations Trust Territory, with Australia, Britain and New Zealand as the Trust powers.

The political advancement of the Nauruans did not begin until Decem ber, 1951, when the first elections were held for the Nauru Local Gov ernment Council which replaced the

old Council of Chiefs, largely a hereditary body and with no powers.

Formation of the council and the emergence of strong leaders, in particular Head Chief Timothy Detudamo and the present Head Chief Hammer Deßoburt. accelera ted the Nauruans’ desire to control their own affairs.

The first step towards self-govern ment had to be control of the phosphate industry, and in recent years, through patient negotiation with the partner governments, and the assistance of skilled economic advisers, they began to gain ground.

The phosphate royalty rate, origin ally one halfpenny per ton. had risen to only 37 cents by 1965—in a period of 45 years. The rise over the next few years was rapid—first to $1.75 in 1965 and to $4.50 in 1966.

In June, 1967, it was agreed that the phosphate would be purchased at $ll a ton for the next three years, subject to world price adjustments, and that the partner Governments would hand over the control of the phosphate industry to the Nauruans from 1970.

Full independence

The Nauruans have to pay $2O million for the capital assets of the British Phosphate Commission, and if this payment is completed by 1969, the basic phosphate price will rise to $l2 per ton for the third year.

After 1970, the industry will be controlled by a Nauru Phosphate Corporation. Phosphate will continue to be supplied to Australia and New Zealand if they care to pay the prices the Nauruans will be able to demand.

Agreement on independence was not long in following the phosphate agreement, and came finally on October 24, 1967.

With the achievement of control of the phosphate industry, and now on January 31, full independence, only one matter remains unresolved, the question of the Nauruans’ future.

Phosphate extraction has destroyed

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-third of the island’s area, and it :stimated that in 30 years’ time, phosphate deposits currently iding at nearly 60 million tons, be worked out. By that time ost 80 per cent, of the island will e been destroyed. he Nauruans have already ;sed on with plans for alternative istries. They have placed an ir overseas for a trading vessel, are investigating the setting up i fish cannery as the surrounding ers abound with fish. >ue largely to the wisdom of the tralian Government and the iruans themselves, a high pro ion of the phosphate royalties • the years has not gone directly the pockets of Nauruan land ;ers. his money has been paid into pecific fund to cover long-term stments, development of alter ve industries, and housing.

Six top posts

aon after Independence Day, ru will have established its civil ice structure Europeans are g engaged for the six top posts, :h include the position of Chief etary. The latter $lO,OOO tax-free goes to a former Fiji Govern t officer and British Consul in ga, Mr. Q. V. L. Weston. t the elections for Nauru’s first lan Legislative Assembly on lary 26, all nine members of the Legislative Council were returned, jding Victor Eaoeo, who had ;ned from the old council in ember because he thought that pendence should be delayed for her 12 months until Nauru was e ready. he full Assembly membership is: i. Tsitsi, A. I. Amram, A. J. uape, D. P. Gadaraoa, R. D.

Jregore, A. D. P. Denagabwida, imer Deßoburt, N. T. K. Aroi, tin Bernicke, T. Depaune, J. T. , D. A. A. Dabwido, R. B. B. idamo, I. V. Eoaeo, L. G. N. ris, G. Derog, Joseph Detsimea, ). Keke. auru’s first Speaker is a well :ated man, the Rev. Alfred ■am, 44, who is Minister of the man Protestant Church. e was six years in Sydney doing logical training.