Caledonia

Recent Events In New

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Sept. 1.

EGN of New Caledonia’s post-war prosperity is the number of cars in the Noumea streets d the week-end procession out of vn. To this number, 222 vehicles re added during the first six inths of 1951 —145 of them from a,nce and 76 from the USA. [he Siamese Government has ight one of the three planes of i Trapas line of Noumea, now le out of service. A Siamese w, headed by an American pilot, ik delivery at Tontouta airport.

Dn his return from a first visit the Loyalty Group and a tour lund New Caledonia on the sloop, ire, the Acting Governor (M. rdarier) said he thought Austra is would find New Caledonia an al place for a camping holiday hat is if they came prepared to ke their own arrangements. He ike enthusiastically of the coast 1 mountain scenery, and the rk of the Catholic and Protes it missions among the natives, ose patriotism, intelligence and ndard of life he warmly praised. /L. Paul Pascalon, visiting French hitect and town planner, finds iimea too spread-out, having re

gard to the number of inhabitants.

He expects the town to grow, but says that one of the finest sites in the world is being spoiled by hap hazard and unregulated building by commercial interests.

Two big warehouses are in course of construction at Noumea wharf— one for goods imported from over seas, and the other for goods arriv ing from other parts of the Colony and its surrounding islands.

In Paris, M. Lenormand, recently elected deputy for New Caledonia, has been appointed a member of the committee of the National As sembly studying matters relating to the Press.

The new French track-cycling champion is Andre Beyney, of Noumea. In honour of his numerous victories in Europe, New Caledonia has voted him a sub stantial sum to add to his prize winning achievements.

A party of American archaeolo gists, led by Professor Gifford, from the University of California, is ex pected in New Caledonia in Feb ruary.

At the suggestion of the Colony’s Economic Affairs advisers, and in agreement with the Noumea Cham ber of Commerce, the New Caledonian General Council has agreed that certain goods from Japan should enter the island at minimum customs rates.

New Caledonia is introducing the 40-hours week (173 hours per month) for workers. It seems likely tnat most employers will adopt the five days week system, with week ends free. Up to 44 hours a week overtime will be paid at normal rates after that 25 per cent, higher.

The Yorkshire Insurance Com pany is extending its activities to New Caledonia. Noumea represen tative is Mr. Yves Mortensen.

A Sydney Morning Herald writer says that the new High Commis sioner for Western Pacific, will sup press the “Marching Rule” or “Marxian Rule” movement in the British Solomons. He says that the correct name is “Masinga Rule,” and that masinga is the local word for “brother.”