Supply of Tonkinese

Labourers Concern in the New Hebrides

From Our Own Correspondent

Vila, Nov. 2.

PLANTERS here are concerned about continuation of supplies of Ton kinese (Indo-China) labourers in the future.

Since 1921, the French authorities have drawn plantation labour from Indo- China, and at the outbreak of war there were over 1,000 Tonkinese in the Con dominium. These workers are indentured for five years, with the option of re engagement for a further two years or repatriation at the end of their term.

Shortly before France collapsed, M.

Sautot, then French Resident Commis sioner of the New Hebrides, announced that British planters in the Group would be permitted to use Tonkinese on their plantations—a concession the British had sought for many years.

After the events of June, 1940, Indo- China decided to support the Vichy ad ministration; but the French colonies in the Pacific —New Hebrides, New Cale donia and French Oceania —declared for de Gaulle and Free France. With the severing of diplomatic relations between the two groups, the svstem of supplying Tonkinese to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia collapsed.

In New Caledonia, the authorities have not relied solely upon Indo-China for labour, and a number of Javanese are indentured each year. Planters in the New Hebrides hope that the authorities will take steps to secure a similar supply of Javanese labourers for the Con dominium.

It is understood that the British, Free French and Dutch Governments have discussed the possibility of using Java nese labourers for working minerals in New Caledonia, and New Hebrides plan ters suggest that this plan should be widened to include labour for copra and other plantations.

Mr. R. W. Robson, editor of “Pacific Islands Monthly”, who has been absent in the Central Pacific for two months, returned to Sydney on November 12.

Articles by Mr. Robson, describing con ditions in Nauru. Ocean Island, Fiji, Gilbert and Ellice Colony, etc., will appear in the December and following issues.