Fanning islands
p. 26 · Read in the full issue
He wants Washington, Fanning islands "nationalised”
Mr. Reuben K. Uatioa, Chief Elected Member of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands’ House of Representatives, said at the House’s March sitting he favoured nationalisation of Aus tralian-owned copra plantations
on Washington and Fanning
Islands.
He alleged “neglect” over the years by the owner, Fanning Island Plan tations Ltd., a subsidiary of Islands trader, Burns Philp and Co. Ltd.
BP’s acquired the atolls, in the re mote Central Pacific Line Islands group, in 1935 and has maintained profitable plantations, with European managers and Gilbertese labour, on each.
Mr. M. D. Allen, GEIC Financial Secretary, told the House there were “various ways of putting pressure on the owners to improve the planta tions”. He suggested a “development levy” and added that the plantations could be acquired by “purchase or other means”, enabling the GEIC to control them better.
In Sydney, BP’s said no approach had been made by the GEIC to take over its property. Extensive replant ing of nuts had been carried out in recent years on each atoll, the com pany said.