Firm on The Visets

At Last— Something Firm on The Visets

in early July the New Caledonian Gov ernment an announcement con cerning the repatriation of Viet Names 6 agreement about which had been reached between France and North Viet Nam. (See page 122, this issue.) By some date yet to be Axed, Viet Namese will have to choose or repatriated to Haipong (North or Communist, Viet Nam); or/ 2 ) to be repatriated to Saigon (South Vet Nam); or (3) to remain in New Cale donia.

If they choose to stay in New Cale donia. they lose any further rights to be repatriated and must conform to all the requirements of other foreigners in New Caledonia.

It is expected that about 5,000 will be opting for repatriation—Bo per cent, to North Viet Nam; and that about 600, who are Roman Catholics, will be staying. In general, however, it is the older people who wish to return to their old home which they have not seen since before the war. when they left for what they imagined was a short period of work in New Caledonia.

The younger people, who were born and educated in the French colony are not keen—and are probably un fitted—for life in Asia.

If there are no further hitches, and repatriation does begin about Septem ber New Caledonia’s labour force is sure to suffer. Many of these people are employed in the building trade, they are employed by the Nickel Co. also; most of Noumea’s vegetables are produced by them; and they make up about 50 per cent, of the unskilled labour force in the colony.