French Culture
p. 103 · Read in the full issue
In Islands
From Our Noumea Correspondent NOUMEA, March 29.
NEW Caledonia and French Oceania are small in comparison with the French African terri tories (there are only about 60,000 people in each), and French metro politan aid is essential to the de velopment of both, said M. Roger Duviau, State Secretary of the French Empire, in Paris after re cently visiting the South Pacific.
M. Duviau said that all the people
had had schooling and the French language was universally understood.
There was no racial problem.
“Thus the seeds of French civil isation are bearing fruit,” he added.
“They should be cultivated with care.”
M. Duviau described Tahiti and its sister-islands as a “paradise on earth.” New Caledonia, much larger, had different problems. The French population gave great promise, but there were not enough people to develop the island’s natural resources.
“I have examined some of the pro jects over there,” he said; “especi ally one to develop the ferro-nickel industry to make it a world-leader.”