Help From USA and
p. 30 · Read in the full issue
N. Caledonia Is
Prosperous
Help From USA and Australia
From Our Own Correspondent
Noumea, Nov. 26.
ACTING through the Fighting French delegation in Washington, the French Pacific authorities have agreed to sell directly to America, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 1943 output of copra from French Pacific colonies, comprising about 15,000 tons from the New Hebrides, 20,000 tons from Tahiti and 2,000 tons from Wallis and Futuna. The New Caledonian output, which is usually round 1,500 tons, is needed for local soap manufacture, etc.
The agreement with the USA already has come into operation, under the Anglo-Franco-American price stabilisation arrangement, which accords the best price available in the Pacific on the day of sale; and transport will be in either United States or French vessels. Prices ruling here to-day for copra are 67.34
mould! and dohaVT"fo? 6 smote-dried!
less 1 per cent, brokerage fee.
In addition, the American Government has agreed to purchase all the nacre (mother-of-pearl shell) produced in Tahiti, recognised to be equal to the world’s best in quality. Samples have been sent, and prices will be fixed shortly, Under the new agreement arrived at with the Australian Government, New Caledonia now is assured of regular sup plies of rice, flour, sugar, wine, leather, boots, shoes, and articles of clothing— the same ration quota per person being
applied as that already instituted in Australia.
Articles, including meat and butter, which the French Colony is unable to get from Australia will, it is hoped, be obtainable from New Zealand under an agreement .with the Dominion Govern ment.
On his return from Sydney, in November, Governor Henri Montchamp stated that he thought the agreement arrived at was eminently fair. He was greatly impressed by the way Australian men and women have been mobilised for the war effort and by the prevailing discipline and efficiency, and expressed his gratitude for the courtesy and help fulness of Australian officials during his stay.
Mr. Ballard, who represents the Aus tralian Government in New Caledonia, and M. Puaux, head of the New Cale donian economic department, as well as the Governor’s Chef de Cabinet (Captain Da Costa), were in Australia at the time of the Governor’s visit. Since their re turn, Mr. Miller (commercial attache of the Fighting French organisation in Sydney), has arrived in Noumea to study the Colony’s requirements on the spot.