Nazi Agent Now

Bankrupt

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, June 14.

A DIVIDEND of 40 per cent, of what is due to them is being distributed to the creditors of the Burkard mining interests in New Caledonia.

Herr Burkard, an ardent Nazi, was Krupp’s agent in New Caledonia, where he had an Australian nurse to look after him.

He bought and developed one or two nickel mines, and had an interest in silver-lead and copper mines in the north of the island; he also bought ores from other concerns.

Krupps took a keen interest in New Caledonian nickel before the outbreak of the two world wars, and so, prior to 1941 (when export to Japan was forbidden by Governor Sautot) did Japan. In conse quence, prior to both wars, the country was highly productive and prosperous, the French market feeding Germany with all the nickel she would take.

But when the present war broke out it was not long before Herr Burkard was arrested and sent to Australia for intern ment. It is reported that he was boast ing to his gaolers of Hitler as a world con queror until well into 1944.

The only time I saw Herr Burkard and his nurse was on the arrival of the first Pan-American clipper at He Nou a fort night before the war broke out. He was one of those invited to attend the recep tion to the American fliers.