New Coledonia
pp. 39-40 · Read in the full issue
Discontent in
Resentment at Continued Rule and Tax Levies From Metropolitan France
POLITICAL restlessness in the French Pacific possessions is not confined to French Oceania (“PIM” August). In New Caledonia a movement for a larger measure of self-government is gaining ground, due to the fact that promises of decentralisation of government have not been promptly honoured by metropolitan Prance.
In early October, 1946, the French National Assembly decided that, after July 1, 1947, the colonial Councils-General would have greater powers in administer ing the territories they represent. At the time, there were howls of protest from the local assemblies that the old curtailment of their power should drag on for that length of time, and energetic protests were made. Nothing was done, however; and now that July 1. 1947, has come and gone without any move from Paris, the general opinion is that it is high time that some concrete action was taken.
Noumea’s newspaper “Bulletin de Com merce” says: “It is promised that the powers of local assemblies are no longer to be determined by decrees . . . We are awaiting the law which will determine our New Caledonian liberties and will state under what terms the representa tives of the population will be free to administer their country. Will this law conform in spirit and in letter to Article 87, which states that overseas territories are to be administered freely by Councils elected by universal suffrage or will it be
limited once more to one of those dilatory and ambiguous texts which will allow the offices of the Rue Oudinot (in Paris) to hold us on a leash like the little pom eranian dog that trots behind the Mar quise on the Parisian boulevards?
“New Caledonia can no longer be con sidered a political minor. The fact that this colony is the only one peopled by French people in the French Empire, as well as the normal evolution of events, justifies the granting of a more liberal constitution.”
"VIEW CALEDONIAN residents have re cently been angered by a law im posed upon them by Metropolitan France whereby they will be liable for five million francs per year for a ten year period (beginning this year) as a contribution to damages suffered by the French Union during the war. This 50 million francs levy, which has been im posed without their consent, will be paid by the 22,000 taxpayers of the Colony.
Another grievance of colonists is the long leave given to French officials, at the colonists’ expense. It is pointed out that New Caledonia is a healthy country, and that it is therefore unnecessary for officials to be given six months’ leave every two years six months which stretches into 10 months, with travelling time between Noumea and France.
New Caledonia is hoping to establish a spa in the Valley of Crouen, near Canala (east coast) New Caledonia, where there are some sulphur springs. An in vestigation committee has reported fav ourably to the General Council which supports the plan. A doctor is to study the region and money is likely to be set aside for a 15-room hotel.
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