Control Of

Melanesian Natives.

French Experience In New Caledonia.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Noumea, Dec. 30.

AUSTRALIA might with advantage take into consideration the French sys tem of handling natives in New Cale donia and the Loyalty Islands.

The French Colonial Service is admin istered from Prance. All public servants, including the medical profession, are sent out to do a term of colonial service, and in the case of doctors they have the right of private practice. These doctors are appointed to districts right through the islands, and inspect regularly the native tribes and watch their general health and well-being.

These natives are on the whole a fine body of men, both physically and ment ally. They grow most of their own food —taro, manioc, coffee, etc. They also have an abundance of fruit, such as bananas, mandarins, oranges, pineapples, pawpaw, mango and, of course, their individual groves of coconuts.

Prior to the revolution of 1887 the na tives could wander and settle at will, all over the country. It was found advis able in order to keep control, to divide the natives of each district into various tribes throughout the island. The Gov ernment provided each tribe with a small area of fertile land and in most cases, with easy access to the sea. In some districts where the tribes are in the hills it is their custom to visit the seafront for short periods, and exchange their inland

products for salt, fish, crabs, tortoise, etc., with the tribes directly inhabiting the seafront, thus obtaining a balance of diet.

Each tribe has its own chief and he is the man responsible to the Government for the behaviour generally of his tribe. All unmarried men have to give fifteen days’ service each year, the days being reduced in the case of married men with families. A native with a large family only does half the time. If, dur ing the monsoon, there are a series of road washaways, this labour Is always available at short notice, the men receiv ing a ration only.

Though they are practically independ ent, there is always a certain amount of native labour available at busy times for the stations and settlers.

The liquor problem is rigidly under control and it is a breach of the law to sell wine or spirits to a native. This is under the supervision of the local gendarme.

Statistics show that the native popu lation of New Caledonia is increasing— some families comprise 10 and 12 child ren.

Australia, in her control of New Guinea, should recognise that the only sound na tive policy is to see that each native keeps in contact witlj his own tribe, and each tribe should be compelled to make itself self-supporting by planting its land. Men should not be indentured for longer than one or two years; and no man should be allowed to re-indenture before he has visited his own tribe and lived with them for a time.

Mr. L. G. Selwood, of the Mines De

partment, Wau, arrived in Sydney from

New Guinea by the December “Mac dhui” on five months’ leave. He was accompanied by Mrs. Selwood and their two small daughters Janet and Pamela.