N. Caledonia's Immediate Mining
p. 20 · Read in the full issue
Future
From Our Own Correspondent
Noumea, Apr. T
DECLARED mining areas of New Cale .donia at present total 308,046 hectares —a decrease of 50,000 hec tares since 1943.
The bulk of this is in the hands of the few big international companies.
Owing to shortage of labour and war conditions, the mining industry's contri bution to the Colony’s budget in the form of dues and taxes fell from 28,461,401 francs in 1941 to 20,860,746 francs in 1944.
The administration now reports: “The metropolis has no ships to transport our nickel to France. The administration has asked for a better price. But there we are up against the competition of mines more easily exploitable and nearer industrial centres. We are trying to place our 1945 output.”