Deals with the 1945/1948 negotiations between the BPC and The Christmas Island Phosphate Company for the purchase of the Christmas Island project

Containers:

Box 56

Component identifier:

Item 2

Content Summary:

Anticipating a vastly increased postwar demand for fertiliser in Australia and New Zealand the BPC was anxious to get its hands on another major supply to boost the Nauru and Ocean Island output, with special attention to the needs of Western and South Australia. Faced with extensive postwar reconstruction costs the C.I.P.C. was not averse from selling, but the shareholders wished to see no diminution of the dividend incomes and set their price at ten million pounds. After nearly three years of hard bargaining and the pulling of political strings the Australian and New Zealand Governments acquired the Christmas Island rights for 2.75 million pounds.

Names:

Masyln Williams

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