New Caledonia’S

Industries

America Interested In Nickel And Chrome

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Oct. 18.

A CCORDING to the Washington corre suondent of the “New York Times,” a special committee of the US Con gress has suggested that Prance should grant the United States rights to exploit certain nickel and chrome mines in French colonies in exchange for strategic materials. Should such an arrange ment not prove feasible, it is suggested that US could invest capital in New Caledonian mining and that an agree ment should be studied covering the im port of Caledonian ore for a matter of 25 years.

The belief is growing in Noumea that a firm arrangement of this nature would be in the best interests both of France and of her Pacific Colony, and that US methods of mechanisation and exploita tion by white instead of coolie labour would benefit production. * * * A French writer, M. Arthur Gouelle, in a Paris review, examines the suggestion that the Americans should be allowed to interest themselves in the New Cale doniarr nickel industry. He points out that while the teneur of Canadian nickel is decreasing, world demand is on the increase. France alone uses 7,000 tons per annum, whereas New Caledonia has lately only been providing 4,000 tons, with hope of increasing output to 5,000. So a new organisation of the industry is necessary to increase production and' decrease costs.

Although the Nickel Co. in Paris keeps silent on the subject, M. Gouelle says: “It might happen that the US interests will instal themselves on the island with means superior to those we possess, to exploit at least part of the deposits.

It would be simpler for the present French Co. to receive the backing of US capital, and get US material to boost output and furnish a fixed tonnage for export to the US. Either solution is possible.

Among new arrivals in Naumea from France are business people studying the establishment of new industries. One is considering growing and processing to bacco in the Houailou region, and an other wants to build a local tannery. At present virtually no tobacco is grown locally, while tanning of Caledonian hides is done in Australia. * * * The first shipment of New Caledonian timber to Australia under the recent agreement was due at the beginning of Oc tober, by a vessel from Brisbane loaded with 500 tons of coal for Noumea.

A labour supply remains one of New Caledonias major problems.

A radio message has been received in Noumea from Batavia from the New Caledonian deputation which is discussing the recruitment of Javanese labour for Caledonian mines and agriculture. The message states that the recruitment of free labour is acceptable to thfc local authorities taut the Dutch authorities do not favour the signing, of labour contracts by the new immigrants be fore they leave. Discussions are con tinuing in a favourable atmosphere but nothing definite has yet been signed.