Preparations

Ready!

New Caledonia's Grim Preparations

From Our Own Correspondent

T Noumea, Feb. 20.

H E people of New Caledonia are quietly and grimly making all prep arations commensurate with their knowledge that this Colony (long coveted may at any moment be in the The provisioning of the Colony to a greater extent from its own resources is being prepared—also the replacement of motor by animal traction, where possible as motor vehicles are in demand for other purposes. Passenger “transport in com mon is being introduced in Noumea and suburbs, where air raid precautions have been organised. ■ Almos S every man not in the services is enrolled in the Home Guard, whose section commanders are occupied with organisation details. A decree makes it plain that any person acting actively or passiyeiy against those in authority will be “dealt with”.

These and other decisions meet with genera! approval, town and bush being sohdiy behmd our silent, hard-working High Commissioner.

Hi a broadcast, Governor Sautot said: The battieground which this island may possibly become is part of a gigantic en semble, throughout which the defenders of human liberties and Christian civilisa tion are confronted by the foes of all liberty and all religion. In this fight, we can count on our allies, who every day are reinforcing the different zones of Pacific combat.”