Startles
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Election Of Deputy
N. Caledonia Interests
THERE was dismay in European circles in New Caledonia at the end of June, when it became known that, as a re sult of the general election under the new electoral system, M. Gervolino, of Noumea, had lost his seat in the Chamber of De puties. as representative of New Caledonia —having been defeated, bv a substantial majority, bv M. Maurice Le Normand.
The election apparently means that the black and brown residents of New Cale donia are likely in future to exercise more influence than in the past upon the ad ministration.
Formerly, they had a voice only through the elected Council-General, or local Par liament, which advises the Governor, More recently, the common vote has been given to all New Caledonian residents, irrespective of race, who can sign their names; which means that the vote of the mission-trained village native has the same value as that of a leading Euro pean. The Chamber of Deputies, to which they elect a representative, directs rather than advises the Governor.
The new Deputy. M. Le Normand —he displaces M. Gervolino, who had held the seat for five years—is a dispensing chemist in Noumea, and is generally regarded as strongly pro-native. His wife is a full native—she was the adopted daughter of M. Calambre.
Under the new electoral law, both natives and Asiatics who can sign their names, got a vote. It is anticipated that, through their new Deputy, they will try to introduce into New Caledonia a system of taxation of incomes. This will be strongly resisted and resented by estab lished interests, and by Europeans gen erally.
The new electoral system, which is esti mated to have enfranchised 8.000 native men and women, was forced by Paris upon New Caledonia without the latter’s wishes being consulted. The natives and pro natives openly boast that, at the next local elections, they will take control of the Council-General.
Already, in some quarters, there is talk of a movement of secession from Prance.
Some European interests declare they would rather seek alliance with Australia or America than be ruled by certain ele ments which now dominate the natives.
Other sections argue that this drastic change is merely the swing of the pendu lum. For a long time, New Caledonia has been ruled by monopolistic and selfish commercial interests, who have had little or no regard for the wellbeing of the Colony as a whole. Now, the anti monopolists are in control.