N. Caledonia Shipping

Services

Letter to the Editor WE refer to the article “Future of New Caledonia,” on page 26 of your July issue. In this article, reporting an interview with M. Henri Montchamp, Governor of New Caledonia, now leaving the territory, reference is made to the shipping communications with New Cale donia before the present war; and this statement occurs:— “Before the war, no foreign lines called at the port because of heavy port dues and the maritime and customs policy pursued, yet these lines passed almost within sight of the New Caledonian coast. The only line calling was Mes sageries Maritimes, providing a monthly service heavily subsidised by the French Government.”

You will appreciate that this is in correct. As you are aware, our company’s South Pacific line used to call regularly, every two months, at Noumea. Prior to the inauguration of our South Pacific line in 1937 we for a great number of years, had been giving a regular three-monthly service to Noumea with our Saigon-Java- Noumea line.

As we have regularly advertised that service in the “Pacific Islands Monthly,”

it is regretted that such incorrect state ments were allowed to be printed. 3,1*0 etc

Royal’Packet Navigation Co.,

Limited

Sydney, 19/8/43.

EDITORIAL NOTE.—We regret the error. There was little excuse for it, in view of the many people who travelled by the Dutch line from New Guinea, via Noumea, to Auckland, Wellington and Sydney—including members of the “PIM” staff.