Revision Necessary

Labour Costs In

New Caledonia

Commission To Inquire

From Our Own Correspondent.

Noumea, June 18.

IN connection with the Javanese and Indo-Chinese labourers at present working in New Caledonia under contract, a commission has been appointed to go into the question of the possible re-adjustment of their contracts. It is realised that conditions of production and economic affairs generally, have changed radically during the last few months; and it is considered that such a review has now become necessary.

The commission has been constituted with the Secretary-General of the Colony as President, the other members to consist of the Chief of the Health Department, President of the Chamber of Agriculture, President of the Labour Commission, three representatives of the mining industries, and the head of the Immigration service. Monsieur M.

Lapelerie is Secretary.

The Department of Native Affairs has recently fixed lower minimum wage rates for local coloured labour, as follows, in view of the changed economic conditions: ... New ... Old ... Rate ... Rate ... per ... per ... Month ... Month ... Francs ... Francs Men, 18 years and over ... 110 ... 150 Women. 18 years and over 75 ... 75 Boys, up to 18 ... 90 ... — Girls, up to 18 ... 60 ... — In addition, employees must be fed clothed, lodged and supplied with medical necessaries. ... ===

During the year 1929-30, 84 oversea vessels called at the Territory of New Guinea, the total tonnage of the ships being 161,738. British vessels numbered 52, French 12, German 6. Dutch 4 American and Japanese 3, Danish and Norwegian 2. ... ===