facing an

New Caledonia facing an uncertain ’82

Thc French Government has said it: ‘We shall move rapidly ahead (in New Caledonia) in the direction of political, economic and social reforms.’ It seemed at the lime the announcement was made that the govern ment intended to take the destinies of New Caledonia directly in hand, introducing its policies by way of ordi nances without consulting either the French Parlia ment or the Territorial As sembly in New Caledonia.

The Secretary of State for Overseas Departments and Territories, Henri Em manuelli, has indicated to the French Senate that the first thing the government planned to do was put the land reform under way already for three years into effect. Up to now, the Territorial Assembly in Noumea has had respons ibility in this matter. Now it seems that a new office is to be created made up of equal numbers of representatives of the Melanesians, the French State, and the Terri tory.

In November, 1981, 16 European landowners were dispossessed of their lands in the context of the land reform. Their properties were concentrated mainly on the east coast. A similar operation undertaken in the south led to sharp conflict between various Melanesian tribes, who have conflicting claims to the land acquired.

At present the dispute re mains at the level of threats of this and that type of action, and palavering.

Gendarmes recently inter vened to cool a dispute between rival clans in the Yate region.

Taxation: The French Government considers that the measures of direct tax

ation proposed by the Terri torial Assembly and the Council of Government for New Caledonia are ‘far too timid’.

Here again, ordinances from Paris will have the force of law, and the inhabi tants of New Caledonia will have to bow, without being consulted, to the point, of view of Paris.

The taxation question has always been a bone of con tention between Paris and Noumea, where it is esti mated that the New Caledonian standard of liv ing is 20 percent below that of the metropolitan French.

Tax increases might ap pear to achieve ‘greater fiscal justice’, but in fact they would only swell the administrative budgets.

Powers of elected New Caledonian representatives: The French Government’s take-over of New Caledonia’s affairs is clearly to be seen in the appoint ment as high commissioner of an eminent politician, Christian Nucci, 42 (PIM Jan p 5). Until his appoint ment Mr Nucci was vice president of the National Assembly. Born in Algeria, he studied in metropolitan France, and was later a teacher in Morocco and Algeria.

Solutions to New Caledonia’s problems must first of all be political sol utions at least that is what Paris says, that is its belief.

The majority of the New Caledonian population are opposed to this effective abrogation by Paris of the internal autonomy of New Caledonia, and the president of the Territorial Assembly has protested vigorously against this unilateral ac tion. An indicator of the situation: governmental pro

posals for changing the ‘profile’ of New Caledonian society were presented to the assembly ‘for information’.

What course of action is open to those who have been democratically elected, both to the Council of Govern ment and the Territorial Assembly? Speaking in the French Senate, Senator Calhavet declared that the government should seek the opinion of the New Caledonian population on their future by way of a referendum. In the course of debate. Mr Emmanuelli de clared: ‘The result of a referendum, if it were held today, would be against in dependence.’ Revealing the thinking of the French Gov ernment on this score, Mr Emmanuelli said: ‘The New Caledonian populations will be consulted on their future in three years, if they so desire.’

No Kanak Socialist Inde pendence: The French Gov ernment has thus not ac cepted Kanak socialist inde pendence as expounded by New Caledonian inde pendenlists. The fact is and this must be strongly emphasised in view of the great confusion in the Pacific on this matter there never has been a demand for the indepen dence of New Caledonia.

What there has been is a demand for Kanak socialist independence put forward by a minority who do not even represent the whole Melanesian population.

When the energetic and bold reforms of the French Government have been put into full effect, and have made themselves felt all round, after three years have

elapsed the French Govern ment is prepared to consult the populations all the populations of New Caledonia about their fu ture.

What is the Independence Front going to do in the face of this decisive and uncom promising (towards all par ties involved) attitude adopted by Paris? In the months ahead, the various demands put forward by the political parties in the front will be satisfied.

Things will settle down that is the hope of all inhabitants of the country.

And as they do, it is to be hoped that there will also come the confidence that is indispensable if the New Caledonia economy, badly shaken by the worldwide crisis in the Western econ omies, is to be got going again.

Sickly nickel: The main plant of Socicte Le Nickel in Noumea is working at only 48 percent capacity, and to maintain even this level the Doniambo plant had to close down two furnaces at the beginning of December. Per sonnel who have either left Le Nickel voluntarily, or have been retired, have re duced the labour force to 3000.

Nickel ore exports to Japan have fallen by 50 percent in four years. How ever, the high prices being paid for the ore, and for metal products generally, have kept financial damage to a minimum.

Hopes now centre on the opening up of the chromite mines in the north by the American company Inco. It is hoped that production will start by the end of 1982.