N. Caledonian Council

Considers Native Welfare and Industry

RECENT Caledonian elections have re sulted in a very different Conseil General from that of two of three years ago. The left wingers generally have been ousted in favour of represent atives of Noumea trade and commerce and of the big mining concerns. The re tired Governor. M. Tallec. had to listen to some outspoken talk from the Council prior to his departure, largely on the Colony’s insistance that the body elected by the country should have real legisla tive control, including control over the spending of locally raised taxation, and hot remain a mere advisory council whose opinion any governor could flout at will.

Protests were renewed against the ten dency of the mother country to over burden the colony with officials who were paid at a much higher rate than they would receive at home.

In a farewell message, M. Tallec as sured Caledonians that “your legitimate aspirations will be satisfied in the near future, and extensive liberties will be guaranteed. But don’t forget,” he added, “that the working of these free institu tions bring special difficulties in commun ities that are only sparsely inhabited.” limiLE, the Pacific Conference was ff meeting at Canberra, the New Cal edonian Conseil General was de bating the native problem, which has grown acute as a result of the war. and the “spoiling” of the natives by 650,000 Americans who spent and gave so freely while in the Colony. In the past year or two, it was stated, over one-third of the natives have left their tribes, and many had come to Noumea, where they are

living and sleeping, 8 to 16, in the tiny rooms of the old wooden hovels—which are a disgrace to the port.

Together with alcoholism, the result has been a serious spread of tuberculosis, syphilis and leprosy, which (it was fur ther stated) are beginning to contaminate the white population. In other words, the health of the colony is gravely men aced; and it is complained that politi cians at Paris of the theoretical and idealistic type understand little of native needs or what makes for native welfare, although thev interfere with colonial legislation.

The Council decided therefore to protest to the authorities in Paris, in the name of the population, against moves that are considered locally as being against the Colony’s interest. The Council decided further to make medical examination of natives compulsory; and to oblige them to carry medical and identity cards. The police are being organised to exercise better control of lodging places; and em ployers are asked to provide lists of those working for them.

The native population (which includes about 12,000 Loyalty Islanders), is prac tically stationary (30,201 in 1942, and 30,753 in 1947). Since 1943, the number of native lepers registered has grown from 975 to 1,229 —it is thought because of the lack of doctors during the war.

Some of the members of the council consider that the natives could be of much greater help agriculturally than they are; but others contested this notion.

For mine labour, the following are being considered: (1) coolie labour from China; and (2) Indonesian labour from the Dutch-controlled part of the NEI, instead of from Java, as hitherto.

This labour would be indentured, and would not be allowed to remain in the colony when the employment period had expired.