Of French Polynesia

Is the Union with France Indissoluble?

Future Political Status Of French Polynesia

From a Special Correspondent in Tahiti Political developments in French Polynesia (PIM, May, p. 14; July, p. 18; August, p. 14) must be difficult for the non resident to follow, unless he knows the history of events during the past few years.

rHESE developments are the re sult of granting what is virtu ally adult suffrage to the people here, while allowing also a large pleasure of self-government.

The outcome, of course, was that power was placed in the hands of the Leftists, while the Rightist lections have shown active resent

ment.

This caused the flareup on April 39-30.

All has been quiet, since—first, because the Governor has taken iharge of the Administration and, second, because all the French Territories are now awaiting the outcome of General de Gaulle’s at tempt to introduce anew Constitu tion. Anew Constitution almost certainly will affect the laws under fhich France’s South Pacific Terri tories elect their local Assemblies, and the degree of self-government they will exercise.

What They Think It is important to know what the kdigenous citizens of French Poly tesia think of it all. I have dis cussed this with many of them.

The commoners—mostly the un educated and labouring classes, |eople without property obligations, Whose political sensibilities have been worked on by these Leftist Propagandists—are more often than tot followers of the RDPT (Leftist Ind Nationalist).

But the more literate people, and [he property owners who have a pake in the future, are definitely fcamst extreme Socialism and any talk of secession from France.

I interviewed a well known old Ihief named Tavae—one of those Who came into Papeete to demon «rate late in April against the Assembly decisions. l“Tt was not the new income tax that brought us in to make the Jemonstration,” he said. “It was be cause France was preparing to desert

Is —to betray us.”

II told him that nothing of the jnd was proposed by France—it Kf’ so^ e thmg proposed by the |DPT. But he interrupted me.

“M’sieu—two years ago, Messrs. eran-Gerusalemy and Pouvanaa a opa proclaimed ‘No more Popas Frenchmen) in Tahiti, and the

French flag will be replaced by the Tahitian flag.’

“At that moment, I wanted, with my friends in our district, to march into Papeete, with the French flag at our head. We would have walked 65 kilometres, so as to manifest to Governor Toby our indissoluble at tachment to France. Alas, our friends in Papeete advised me against doing it, then.

“Today, with the Loi-Cadre, de sertion is confirmed. Soon, if clause VIII of the Constitution is modified, France will have betrayed us”.

I pointed out that the RDPT had declared that the majority of Tahitians wanted to be free and in dependent. Did he not want that?

The old Tahitian answered, “No!

When Jean Baptiste Heitarauri Ceran-Gerusalemy openly declared, in the precincts of the Territorial Assembly, on April 22, 1958, when he was president of the Assembly, that the RDPT would change this Terri tory into the Tahitian Republic, I cued. I don’t conceal it from you —and occasionally I still weep.”

I found that Tavae was by no means alone in his continuing fear that the politicians yet may contrive to break Tahiti’s Union with France. 1 talked with a young, educated Tahitian, and I found the same un easiness—and he knew the sequence of events.

They Want the Union

He reminded me that, after the election and the appearance in authority of the RDPT, the Cabinet of the President of the Territorial Assembly, on April 22, issued its famous communique, at the first session of the Assembly.

There had been several little parties in existence—the Tahitian Union, the Independents, the Social Action Independents, the UDSR, the Union of Taumotu and Gambier Producers.

But when the Assembly met, in April, 1958, Counsellor Gerald Coppenrath announced that all these parties had joined in opposi tion to the RDPT, and had formed the Tahitian Democratic Union.

United

The president of this new party was M. Rudolph Bambridge, and his deputy (or Secretary) was M. Franz Vanizette. M. Coppenrath was now the president of this Parliamentary group in the Territorial Assembly.

M. Coppenrath said they were united in opposition to the RDPT and, whenever possible, they would strive to be a constructive opposition.

They made it clear that in no cir cumstances would they agree to any weakening of the Union with France —they believed that the creation of a Tahitian Republic would be a disaster. On the other hand, they would accept a normal and logical evolution of the Territory towards increased self-government.

President Jean Baptiste Heitarauri Ceran-Gerusalemy, in greeting the creation of this new party, then sty ted precisely that the RDPT, “constituting the majority in the Territorial Assembly”, had decided to adhere to its policy of forming the Territory into an independent Republic.

Within a week, the news of this declaration had spread throughout Tahiti, and a movement of re sponsible people towards the As sembly from the outer districts, in towards the Assembly building in Papeete, began spontaneously. The political change forecast by Ceran- Gerusalemy would not be tolerated.

My young Tahitian friend said that the “revolt” of April 29 and 30, and the dismissal of the new government by the Governor, were inevitable developments, if grave disorders were to be avoided.

Ministers' Ignorance of Tahiti

I began to understand, more clearly, the strong feeling expressed by old Tavae. , .

“I am an old soldier of World

War I,” said Tavae. “I was decorated with the Legion of Honour, the Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre. At that time, the liberty of the world was at stake and we fought with our fellow-Frenchmen for freedom.”

More recent events —the collapse of the Fourth Republic and the re appearance of General de Gaulle — are not clear to the older Tahitians; but the younger, educated men are better informed.

“Some of the politicians who have been Ministers for French Overseas Territories do not even know the whereabouts of French Polynesia, and ignore its history”, said one. ‘So we are put on the same level as the African Territories, Mada gascar, etc.

“We have nothing in common with those Territories. We are an integral part of France, like a French province. Here is the proof of it—it is the Declaration of King Pomare V: “We, Pomare V, King of the Society Islands and Dependencies, because we ap preciate the good government that France is giving our State today, and because we know of the good intentions of the French Republic regarding our people and country, whose welfare and prosperity she wishes to better, and wishing to give to the government of the French Republic strik ing proof of our friendship, undertake by these presents, in our personal name and in the name of our descendants and suc cessors: • To put completely, and for always, in the hands of France, the government and administration of our State as also all our rights and authority of the Society Islands and Dependencies. Our States are thus united to France, and we ask this great country to continue to govern our people, with due regard for our Tahitian customs. • We ask also that petty judgments in the districts be made with our advice, to ( avoid excessive expense to our people. • We desire that you continue to leave ■ all matters relative to lands to the native; courts. • For our part, we retain the title of: King and all honours and precedents? attached to this title. The Tahitian flag’ may, when we wish, continue to appean with that of France over our palace.

We desire also to personally retain thee freedom given us by the Tahitian of March 28, 1866.

We make this Declaration for the Royall Family, the chiefs and the people, so that! they will be heard and respected. (Signed) Pomare V, King. (Then followed the signatures of ae number of chiefs and high officials.) The Law of Acceptance, carrying*; ratification of the cession thusa made to France by Pomare V, onn June 29, 1880, was passed by thea Senate and the Chamber oft Deputies of France on December! 30, 1880; and it provided thatt Tahiti and dependant archipelagoes* were declared French Colonies;;;

French nationality was acquirecfo

with full rights by all the old sub-; jects of the King of Tahiti;;] foreigners born “in the old of the protectorate as well as those?; who have been domiciled there foiu

[ at least one year” could seek r naturalisation.

'"Citizens of France"

“We Tahitians of today regard ourselves, therefore, as citizens of France,” said my young friend, “and v,e do not forget the message that came to us in the dark days of May, 1940: ‘You French who are free, rally round me to liberate our Motherland’.

“And our Territory and our Tahitian soldiers immediately, in 1940, arrayed ourselves under the orders of General de Gaulle. Our £ag was in the mud. But, one day in the following year, at Bir Hakkim, the Pacific Battalion lifted up again the Tricoloured Flag, and the radios of the world announced this French victory. There, Tahitian blood sealed forever our Treaty with immortal France, which is also our France. We follow the Treaty.

“I would remind you that our Territory was not conquered by force—our King made the union without threat, or war, or capitula tion. France granted us French citizenship, undertook to protect and govern us in line with our customs.”

Although events in France now await the decision of the referendum on De Gaulle’s proposed Constitu tion, the people of Tahiti seem confident that, whatever the de cision, they will remain in close Union with France. After all, they have been associated with France for 116 years—38 years of Protec torate and 78 years of Union.

"Irresponsible"

This loose discussion of a sep aration from France, and of a Re public of Tahiti, would never have arisen had it not been for the irre sponsible post-war system of giving adult suffrage, in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, to classes of people who do not yet understand that, when they get a vote, they must undertake responsibilities as well as receive privileges.

The recent political troubles in the French Pacific Territories will either be removed this year by a new French Constitution, which will provide really responsible govern ment; or will be accentuated by failure to give France a new and more suitable regime.

At present, in Tahiti, as in New Caledonia, there is an uneasy political truce.

Striking photographs of Islands scenes—some taken 50 years ago— will be shown at the September 25 meeting of the Pacific Islands Society in Sydney. The illustrated address, “Winter Cruises in Summer Seas”, will be given by well-known Photographer, Mr. Keast Burke, who has had a ligelong association with Kodak Ltd.