Yugoslavs

Plan to Introduce Settlers In New Caledonia

A PUBLIC discussion is proceeding in New Caledonia on the question of whether it is desirable to encourage the plan of introducing families of Yugo slavs to settle in New Caledonia and de velop the country agriculturally and pas torally.

The suggestion is strongly resisted by some of the younger French people born in New Caledonia. They do not like any plan which may tend to create a growing community of foreigners in their country.

It is insisted that if the Yugo-Slavs are allowed to settle in New Caledonia they will appropriate the domains of the French New Caledonians, and take com mand of the industries and professions.

It is pointed out that this very thing has happened with the Japanese, who were brought to New Caledonia to work the chrome and nickel mines. It is argued that the limited commerce of New Cale donia already is under sufficient handi caps and it would be grossly unfair to increase the difficulties already borne by the French merchants of the colony.

The Noumea Chamber of Agriculture, however, is proceeding with its plan. Ne gotiations have taken place between a French official representative in Belgrade and the Government of Serbia, and ap parently it is proposed to test the plan in a modest fashion. For a start it is proposed to send five families of Yugo slavs to New Caledonia; each family con sisting of at least six persons, of whom four shall be between the ages of 22 and 50. The men must be experienced agri cultural workers and must be industrious and sober. It is proposed to convey the first of these agricultural pioneers to New Caledonia by the steamers of the Messa geries Maritimes line.