—In N. Caledonia Also

From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, April 11.

AS Australian rice is needed in other areas strictly for war purposes, the white population here have had their rice ration cancelled, and it will only be issued in reduced amounts for the use of Javanese and Indo-Chinese labour ers, of whom there are about 10,000 in the country.

The Caledonian Chamber of Agricul ture has urgently appealed to colonists to grow enough rice for the Colony’s con sumption, and proposes to provide grow ers with a guaranteed local market over a number of years.

Pre-war, most of this country’s rice growing was in the hands of the Japan ese, and output has declined since they were interned in Australia.

Both French and coloured populations are great rice-eaters, and until recently have been relying on Australian supplies.

Levuka’s oldest European resident, Mr, Robert Lepper, celebrated his 93rd birth day in March. He has been in Fiji for over 60 years.

Captain Oliver Edwards, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Baynes Edwards, of Sigatoka, Fiji, was serving with the New Zealanders in Italy at the time of the enemy sur render in that theatre of war. He joined the NZEF in 1940 and was sent to Fiji with the* Ist New Zealand Contingent.

Later he was posted to New Caledonia and saw service against the Japs in the Solomons.

The new Rector of the Anglican Cathe dral in Suva, Fiji, the Rev. R. A. Donne, arrived in Suva recently, accompanied by his wife and daughter. He was inducted by the Bishop on March 24.

A recent visitor to Australia was Mr.

C. T. Halsted, manager of Cable & Wire less, Ltd., in Auckland, who at various times has been stationed in Fiji, Nor folk Island, etc.