N. Caledonia's Trade And

Commerce For 1947

NEW CALEDONIA’S exports during the year 1947 were as follows: —

Principal purchasing countries were;— Prance, to the value of 135,214,000 francs; French Colonies, 15,478,000 francs; the USA 21,140,000 francs; and Australia, 17,142,000 francs.

PRODUCTION of minerals for the year was as follows; — Nickel matte 1.782 tons Chrome 95,570 „ Nickel 50.530 „ Gypsum 2,705 „ If New Caledonia could increase her chrome output it would enable the USA to buy less chrome from Soviet Russia.

Last year US imports from the USSR were about 54 per cent, of her total chrome imports. In New Caldonia the labour supply for the mines is a major dif ficulty. Once this is increased, the in dustry will expand.

Value.

Tons (In Francs) Trochas 1,179 19,134,000 Chrome 43,754 46,709,000 Nickel mattes .. .. 1,500 44,677,000 Coffee 1,224 34,418,000 Copra 828 6,617,000 Skins 400 4.542,000 Essence of Niaouli .. 41 7,842.000 Other goods .. .. 4,086 28,876,000