Chinese Power
p. 44 · Read in the full issue
In Tahiti
Leading French Civilian Is Outspoken
From a Special Representative REFERENCES to the ominous events in Asia, and the danger of the “Yellow Peril” were made in a notable speech, at the opening of the Representative
Assembly on November 3, by the President of the Assembly, M. Jean Millaud.
As is well known, French Oceania has a large and influential Chinese commu nity. It was established many years ago.
Some of the Chinese brought their wives from China, and others married Tahit ians. Although most of these people are local-born, and a great deal of Tahiti’s trade and industry are in their hands, their connections with China remain con stant and active.
Before World War 11, the French Gov ernment of Oceania did not seem to be troubled by the growth in the number and power of the Chinese. But, during and since the war, the influence of Metro politan France in these Pacific colonies has declined, and the sturdier type of French non-official residents have been turning more and more towards American and British associations. This, in turn, has directed attention to the way in which the Chinese have displaced the European traders and artisans.
For these reasons, the remarks of M.
Millaud are more than usually interesting.
M. Millaud declared that the Chinese were taking trade and industry away from Europeans, as well as from the natives.
M. Millaud asked that the naturalisa tion of immigrant Chinese should be stopped forthwith. “You can never make a loyal citizen of Tahiti out of a Chinese national,” declared M. Millaud. “He is here to draw your blood.”
M. Millaud pointed out that, during World Wars I and 11, while Frenchmen and Tahitians enrolled as volunteers to fight abroad in the common cause, not one Chinese joined the forces provided by Tahiti. On the contrary, the Chinese stayed at home, and engaged most profit ably in trade, and carefully banked the money, and so they were able to compel the little establishments run by Euro peans and Tahitians to close up.
“Take a look at the shipping with which the trade of these islands is carried on,” he said. “It is practically all owned by the Chinese. In many cases, it is reg istered in the names of Frenchmen, but the latter are merely dummies for the Chinese.”
M. Millaud urged that no more trading licences should be given to Asiatics.
M. Millaud then spoke with equal frank ness of the conduct of French officials connected with the “Cement Scandal” (reported elsewhere in this issue).