French Territories
p. 59 · Read in the full issue
Political Events In
In April, the RDPT party in the Terri torial Assembly of French Polynesia (which is strongly Leftist and which secured a majority in the general election at the end of 1957) introduced income tax and spoke of separation from France and the creation of a Republic of Tahiti.
On April 29 and 30. crowds assembled outside the Assembly building in Papeete, and demonstrations brought about the cancellation of the income tax law and the suspension of the Assembly Govern ment while the "revolt” was dealt with by the Governor, through Paris. (PIM May. p. 14, and July, p. 18).
In New Caledonia on June 22, following the temporary transfer of power to General de Gaulle by the French Parlia ment, a section of the New Caledonia people revolted against the rule of (he Leftist section of the New Caledonia Assembly, also brought into power through the operation of the new electoral law.
Similarly, to avoid further civil disorder, the local Government (under M. Lenor mand) was suspended by the Governor, while he consulted Paris. (PIM. July, p. 18).
The local Governments, in both Tahiti and New Caledonia, remain virtually sus pended, pending clarification of the Constitutional situation in Metropolitan France.