Elections In New
p. 26 · Read in the full issue
Caledonia
From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, April 10.
THE elections for a new Administrative Council of New Caledonia, formerly fixed for March 21, have been post poned until May. The former Council was disbanded when this country went Free French. The Governor has enlarged the Council from 12 to 15 members. The inner body of the Council will be an Executive Committee of five members, acting as a permanent committee, or Governor’s Privy Council.
“New Caledonia for the Caledonians, under the protection and control of France” —Is the election cry of Monsieur P. Berges, president of the retiring Sautot-nominated Administrative Coun cil and advocate of a larger measure of home rule.
M. Berges, who has his quarrels both with Governor Henri Montchamp and (over the recall of Henri Sautot) with High Commissioner d’Argenlieu. has issued a sort of election address, saying that a wartime election has been forced on the Colony, but that Caledonians must not boycott it, but must fraternally and democratically unite to show their real sentiments. He has thanked the Governor for respecting democratic prin ciples.
There are about 4,000 male voters on the roll. Women do not vote.