To Combat The

Chinese

Long-Delayed Move by French in Tahiti

YEAR by year, decade by decade, the Chinese traders and artisans of French Oceania have grown in numbers, and steadily have thrust aside the Euro pean trader and artisan.

Fifteen years ago, British travellers commented upon this, and made China’s economic domination of Polynesia’s most beautiful group a matter of simple cal culation-twenty or thirty years.

But, at long last, the French have awakened and, through their Chamber of Commerce in Tahiti, are trying to limit the operations of the restless and expanding Chinese. We fear it is too late —the Chinese now have a very strong financial grip upon the territory.

The Tahiti Chamber of Commerce has adopted a unanimous motion to place before Chef de la Colonie the following points:— “That foreigners, conforming often to a standard of life vastly inferior to ours, and increasing in numbers and security, are invading to an ever-increasing ex tent every branch of commerce, trade and industry.

“That the complete monopoly of these branches of the economic structure of the country, if not speedily remedied, will have the gravest consequences.

“That in training these foreigners on a footing of absolute equality with our

own nationals, we are protecting the former, who, benefiting by the advan tages already enumerated, have not had to face the hardships and duties which have been the portion of Frenehmen.

“That as France before, in grave cir cumstances, depended upon Frenchmen, it appears reasonable that, in order to prevent their elimination, the Adminis tration should now assist them to the greatest possible extent.”

The following recommendations have been made: — “That, in a general manner, and each time competition exists, foreigners shall not be allowed to tender for public ser vices.

“That, as a result of the resolution taken by the Chamber of Commerce, it will obtain the release of certain licenses granted to foreigners, which will be re established in favour of our nationals.

“That steps be taken to ensure that foreigners do not under cover of trade names, or under cover of the names of their wives, exercise trades reserved for French citizens.”

The Administration of Tahiti (says the “Bulletin du Commerce,” of Noumea) is sufficiently empowered to put a stop to foreign competition, by the application of certain laws, and the Chinese danger will be combatted with the greatest energy.

Mr. G. C. Foulis, who went to Fiji from Australia some years ago to take up cattle breeding at Tavua, Fiji, died on January 14. He was associated with the finders of the Emperor mine and after the establishment of the Tavua goldfield he opened a butchery business there in conjunction with his cattle interests.