New Shipping Lines

Wanted For French Colonies

IT is likely that, in the coming rapid changes in the South Pacific, the hitherto old-world French port of Noumea will become an important point in steamer and airways communications.

Noumea may now be of interest to Aus tralian commerce and shipping. Hitherto, trade of New Caledonia lias been mostly with France and Indo-China. Now that Indo-China has virtually gone to Japan, and France has been crucified by the Nazis, the trade of New Caledonia must go towards British Dominions.

It is understood that the matter of providing direct shipping communication between New Caledonia and Australia has been under Australian official considera tion. It is thought that Noumea may now have a special interest for Burns, Philp and Co., Ltd., whose regular liners run to Islands ports all around New Caledonia, but do not enter French waters.

The isolated condition of Tahiti and French Oceania also has been receiving consideration—in this case, from the much more alert and vigorous Govern ment of New Zealand, which hopes to collect the, at present, dislocated trade of French Oceania.

It was stated in some Australian news papers that there was a plan afoot to inaugurate a new shipping service, which would connect the now isolated French colonies of New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Tahiti with North America, on the one side, and Australia and New Zealand on the other. But all the Governments and shipping firms, which might know something about the suggestion, profess ignorance of it.

However, it is certain that something must be done soon to nrovide regular communications, for the French colonies It is inconceivable that this should be made a gift to Japan.

Miss Olive Peak, of Victoria, has been accepted by the Methodist Mission for service in Fiji as a nursing sister.

Suva Red Cross Carnival: Left— Casualty Station, conducted by young women of St. John s Ambulance Brigade. Right—A leading Fijian, Hon. Ratu J. L. V. Sukuna, who arrived m Suva with a substantial donation from Fijians in the Lau Group is seen (right) in conversation with the leader of a Fijian party. All Suva communities, but especially the Fijians, helped