What Some Fear
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
Internal self-government Polynesia would inevitably lead to independence, according to Mr. Charles Taufa, the 34-year-old trade union leader, who gave Mr. Pambrun the strongest run for his money in the Papeete munici pal elections in May.
Mr. Taufa, who strongly supports “a presence Francaise”, said this in an interview with he Journal de Tahiti, just before the second round of the elections.
“Self-government and the effective management of [the territory’s] fin ances”, he said, “would bring with it new expenses and therefore budget ary difficulties.
“If the metropolitan government granted self-government it would not be to support the financial conse quences of that autonomy.
“Therefore, for us, there is good reason for not demanding indepen dence”.