Developments
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
Future Of New Caledonia And French
Oceania
Thousands Anxiously Await International Developments
WHAT is going to happen to France’s colonies in the South Pacific?
The unhappy condition of the French Empire generally is described in an article on page 48; but the present posi tion and probable future of New Cale donia, New Hebrides and French Oceania are of immediate concern to all South Pacific communities.
It is plain, now, that the Nazified Petain Government cannot administer those colonies from Europe, while Britain remains unconquered. So what?
Britain’s enemies will say that this is Britain’s chance to “grab”. The plain truth is that Great Britain does not want the French colonies but force of circum stances may compel one or more of the British nations to take action.
The Noumea report, printed hereunder, shows, plainly enough, the wishes of the New Caledonia people themselves.
A glance at the map shows New Cale donia’s importance to Australia. The great island is part of Australia’s protec tive fringe—New Guinea, New Britain, Solomons, New Hebrides, New Caledonia and Norfolk Islard. For strategic reasons, Australia dare not let New Caledonia or New Hebrides fall into foreign hands.
There are 10,000 Frenchmen in New Caledonia, and 1,000 in New Hebrides— a community large enough to govern it self for the present, under British or Aus tralian protection. If France is to remain Nazi, a British protectorate over New Caledonia might become permanent.
Because of its huge mineral deposits— nickel and chrome, especially—New Cale donia has much economic value. Other nations may be indifferent concerning New Hebrides and Tahiti (French Oceania), but they would covet New Caledonia. The Japanese, for instance, have shown a keen interest in New Cale donian minerals, and have acquired sev eral properties there, and at least one of their trans-Pacific lines of steamers calls regularly at Noumea.
In this journal, many times, we have urged that Australia should get ready to take responsibility for Papua. New Guinea, Solomons, New Hebrides and Norfolk Is land, as one Pacific Administration pro tecting eastern and northern Australia.
Now, the unexpected collapse of France may allow New Caledonia to be added to the plan.
The position, obviously, cannot remain as it is. We may exnect to hear of in teresting developments in relation to these South Pacific territories, before long.
Tahiti and French Oceania, comprising the farthest east of the Pacific Islands, have not the same interest for Australia.
Their value to the British is mostly agri cultural, and romantic—they are, from the point of view of living conditions, by fa Ltbe most attractive of all the islands. ere aie> in French Oceania, about 30,000 Polynesians, 1,000 French, 5,000 Euronesians, and 5,000 Chinese. Most of the French and Euronesians, and half the Chinese, are in Tahiti.
THE General Council of New Caledonia, at an Extraordinary Session on June 25, unanimously decided that Frenchmen should continue the fight against the Axis Powers.
A resolution expressing the determina tion of New Caledonia, “a country French m heart and soul which cannot admit the
surrender of the Bordeaux Government and its result in setting the French against their Allies of yesterday”, was sent to the British Consul at Noumea.
At 5.30 p.m. on June 25, following the usual closing hour of Noumea shops, more than 4,000 persons took part in a re markable demonstration, which showed the attachment of the French population of New Caledonia to the British Empire.
The demonstration, which took place In front of the Town Hall, also testified to the colony’s resolution to continue the fight on the side of the British for the liberation of France.
Led by M. Daly, president of the colony’s ex-servicemen. the crowd marched to the British Consulate, where M. Daly, in an interview with the Consul, expressed the warm sentiments of the population to the British Empire.
The demonstration, which was of a calm and orderly nature, closed with the singing of “The Marseillaise” and “God Save the King”.—“S.M. Herald” report.