New Governor For
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
N. Caledonia
From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA. August 4.
M, Raoul Angamarre has com pleted his three years as Governor of New Caledonia, and has departed for France. His successor has been announced —M.
Hoffeherr, formerly of the French Cameroons and reputed to be an able financier and economist, i Governor Angamarre leaves a fine reputation as an administrator behind him, but the problems facing his successor are likely to be con siderable and his knowledge of finance will be necessary.
Chrome Industry Crisis
The chrome industry of New Caledonia is undergoing a severe crisis at present. The Tiebaghi Co. has announced a drastic cut in pro duction this year; the Chagrin mine has completely closed down and other small mines have fol lowed suit. \ The Tiebaghi Co. which owned the world’s largest chrome mine, has cut its staff by 140 and more are to go. Most of these are Italians who were brought out specially from Italy. They now are trying to migrate to Australia. The company has already a stock-pile of 30,000 tons of 54 per cent ore, and no luyers in sight.
I Main reason for the slump is the high cost of production of New Caledonian chrome, but as this fepresents about 87 per cent of the Colony’s exports, any sharp falling )ff must mean economic chaos.
IChrome exports constituted a re »rd in 1943 —the greater proportion [ping to USA and the remainder to France. Now USA is out of the market. [France takes only about one hird of her chrome requirements rom New Caledonia. Local busi nessmen are urging that she take 11 her requirements—about 74,000 ons—from NC. It is believed that mly help of this sort will save the tolony from a bad economic slump.