New Caledonia’S

Problems

Need For New Industries

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Sept. 20.

THE domestic problems of New Cale donia cover a wide field. They range from the high cost of living, to the urgent need for establishing industries likely to earn additional overseas revenue for the country.

Addressing the New Caledonian General Council the Governor General, M.

Cournarie, said that an effort would have to be made to lower the cost of living.

He pointed out that, with an approxi mate increase in the European popula tion of 500 per annum, the problem arose of providing jobs for young New Caledonians in their own country.

As part of Noumea’s post-war recon struction scheme, the harbour’s so-called “little quay” has been rebuilt. Already small ships can use this quay, which is 125 yards long. A shed is to be built alongside and the quay is likely to be much used by the island’s coastal ship ping.

Tourist Trade Wanted

THE Government contemplates spend ing 25 million francs on the im provement of hotel accommodation and the encouragement of tourisme. The Government will co-operate in the build ing of a large tourist hotel at Anse Vata beach. Other grants are planned for country hotels, and the new spa at the Crouen Valley.

It is believed that New Caledonia could develop a large and profitable tourist in dustry.

Politics Interrupt Java Labour

Supply

THE second contingent of Javanese workers from Batavia, numbering about 500, is expected to reach New Caledonia about October 13, on the Saint Loubert Bie. This should assist in dustry generally—indentured labour has been in short supply for a long time.

However, owing to the political situa tion in the Netherland East Indies, the recruitment of Javanese for work in New Caledonia is becoming more and more difficult. The Governor-General told the General Council at its recent extra ordinary session in Noumea that infor mation from both Java and Paris showed that the Indonesian Govern ment, at the moment, was opposed to any further recruiting for New Cale donia.

Anomalies In Food Prices

THE authorities in New Caledonia have decided to ask Australia to lower the price of flour sold to the French Colony, to correspond with the Aus tralian home price, which is several pounds under the export price. The New Hebrides benefits from this re duction, but New Caledonia is charged the full export price. As a good neighbour of the Commonwealth, New Caledonia would like to be given special treatment, and put on a par with the Condominium.

Significant of the increase of price in French colonial products is the fact that Noumea stores charge 19.30 francs per kilo for Martinique sugar, whereas Aus tralian sugar sells for 12.40 francs. Local confectioners and sweet manufacturers are protesting because the Government of New Caledonia forces them to use the Martinique sugar, Mr. G. N. Nettleton, Fiji Government Architect, has gone to the United King dom on leave.

Dr. D. W. Hoodless, who was principal of the Central Medical School. Suva, until he retired a few years ago, has been ap pointed a Temporary Medical Officer in the Fiji Medical Department and has been posted to Nadi Airport.

A missionary rally will be held at the Chapter, House, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mel bourne on October 25, when the Bishop of New Guinea, The Rt. Rev. P. N. W.

Strong, will be among the speakers.