USA and NEW

Caledonia

American Consul Goes to

Noumea

IT was announced during the month that, on the urgent solicitation of the new Governor of New Caledonia (M. Henri Sautot) the President of the United States had appointed Mr. Karl McVittie to be Consul for the United States in New Caledonia.

Mr. McVittie arrived in Sydney from United States by trans-Pacific air mail at the end of February, and thence will proceed to New Caledonia.

Mr. McVittie has had a long and varied career in the United States diplomatic service, having served in Sofia, Baghdad, Nairobi, Sydney, Malta, Leghorn, and Amoy.

This appointment is interesting and significant. It is the first time that an American consul has been sent directly from the United States to New Cale donia. It indicates the probable devel opment of valuable trade relations between the United States and the im portant French Colony. It has been reported that important shipments of New Caledonian metals are being made to the United States —this trade taking the place of that formerly carried on between New Caledonia and France.

Noumea now is an important station on Pan American Airways service, link ing America and Australia.

The appointment may also be taken as another step towards the plan outlined in the “PIM” in February—namely, that as soon as ships can be made available a regular shipping line will be established between Australia and the United States, via New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Tahiti.

Delegate From De Gaulle A delegate of General de Gaulle and head of the Colonial Department at the Free French headquarters in London, M.

Brunot, will shortly visit New Caledonia.

He has had 36 years’ experience in France’s African colonies.

New Caledonia Official To See Mr.

Menzies In London It was announced on March 3 that the Secretary-General of New Caledonia (M.

Bayardelle). who left by Clipper for London early in March, will urge closer co-operation between Australia and New Caledonia when he meets the Australian Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) in England.

M. Bayardelle’s principal mission is a conference in London with General de Gaulle (Free French leader), whom New Caledonia follows.

USA Consul for Fiji

THE “Fiji Times” reported in February that it was understood that the United States Government intended to appoint a Consul at Suva. It is presumed that this appointment will be made when Suva becomes a regular station of call on the Pan American Airways service, now running regularly between New Zealand and the United States. A new seaplane base has been constructed near Suva.

The Western Samoan Administration has remitted the export duty on all copra purchased and produced on and after February 1. 1941, on condition that the firms concerned pass on the equiva lent in an increase in purchase price to the producers.