Fiji Indians May be Interested

Asian Labour In French

Islands

From R. W. Robson

Noumea, Oct. 22.

IT was widely published in Aus tralian and other papers a few weeks ago, on the assurance of a New Caledonia mine-owner (M. J.

Brochet), who had arrived in Dar win, that there were 5,000 Indo china Communists in New Hebrides

and 4,000 in New Caledonia, and that the outlook was not good.

Close inquiry here discloses no alarming picture. It is true, as stated repeatedly in PIM, that there are from 3,000 to 4,000 generally unde sirable Tonkinese now established as a permanent community in the New Hebrides (mostly in Santo) and that there is a mixed bag of Indo- Chinese and Javanese of perhaps the same size in New Caledonia. It is true, also, that these are people highly susceptible to Communist propaganda, and that Red agents are among them. But my impression is that the French authorities have the whole situation well under con trol.

There is no more Communist danger here, while present wage conditions last, than there is among the poorer types of restless, Red inspired trade unions in Australia, like wharf labourers and transport workers.

The French administration officials hate Communism and, given a free hand, they soon would root every sign of it out of the place. Un fortunately, in French politics—both metropolitan and local —the restless Reds have an influence out of pro portion to their numbers; and the officials, accordingly, walk warily and avoid open conflict with the bureaucrats who, in the sacred name

of democracy, are obliged to work in with Red politicians.

The plan to introduce Indian labourers and technicians from Fiji, to help meet the big labour short age in New Caledonia, is still under serious discussion. From an indus trial and economic viewpoint it has a great deal to recommend it and it would be good for both Fiji and New Caledonia. But again in this field there is an intrusion of political considerations. High officials of Britain and France do not wish to cause any perturbation in New Delhi. Australia is not sure that she can regard with equanimity the establishment of another Asiatic colony near her shores —although the permanent settlement of Fiji Indians in New Caledonia does not appear to be in the plan. So every one is being wary.

The outstanding facts are that New Caledonia needs the labour, the skill and the developmental impulse which Fiji Indians could supply, while Fiji has more of those qualities at present than it can pro fitably use.