Pim Opinion

Why must it always be true that the only lesson of history is that men never learn from history? Even in an idyllic little country like New Caledonia the same weary old mistakes are being made in the run up to independence from the French.

The voices of moderation are being drowned out as hard-liners of both sides respond to impatience, fear and prejudice.

The French themselves do not wish to remain the colonial masters.

These days it is an expensive, thankless, and unfashionable task incompatible with their position in the world. But the predominant ly French-origin farmers and businessmen who form what is known as the right-wing in New Caledonia think they can hold back the clock, if necessary by creating a situation in which the French will have to intervene.

The left-wing is equally difficult, demanding greater speed than cooler minds feel is wise for so small and vulnerable a nation. They justify their stand by pointing to the 131 years the French have ruled their lovely islands, and say they should not have to wait another half decade for what is rightfully theirs.

In the middle is the peaceable majority, of all races and groups, filled increasingly with doubts and fears and feeling itself forced to choose between the extremists of left and right.

It is a classic tragedy, seen so many times before in so many other places. On the face of it there should not be an argument, let alone any violence. There is economic imbalance but no bitter racism, as there was, and remains, in Africa.

New Caledonia is not ready for total and immediate independ ence. The French Government’s program, providing for a steady progression up to 1989, is probably the most sensible available.

But practice is one thing, and principle quite another.

Without the $230 million which annually pours into the country from the pockets of French taxpayers who probably don’t know where New Caledonia is, nor could care less... without steady, and large, investment in tourism, like the stunning $lOO million Tiare

project now under way, the place could become just another tropical doldrum.

Of course, that is not the point that impresses the speech makers, and, as usual, rhetoric has now very nearly replaced sense in the politics of independence.

There is a regrettable tendency on both sides of the argument to say that anyone not 100 per cent for, must be 100 per cent against.

Australia is not popular with either faction for pretty much that reason.

There is a curious, and naive, belief that Australia is poised, panting, to scoop up New Caledonia, and hand out lashings of aid money the moment the French disappear.

There is an equally erroneous expectation that if the situation really heats up the French will send their army to protect everyone from everyone else.

Melanesian impatience can be understood. New Caledonia is not even on the United Nations list of colonised countries ... a difficult matter for the cynical bureaucrats of that international talk factory because New Caledonia is, technically, part of France.

New Caledonia must have its independence. But it has to be achieved with justice for all people of all races who, by accidents of history, acts of hope, efforts of ambition, decisions of 19th-century French courts or whatever other means, today find themselves with all they possess, and all they desire, caught up on the tiny speck of Pacific rock which Captain Cook felt reminded him so much of Scotland.

The Melanesians, who have victory inevitably within their reach, must somehow convince the French colonials, and those who side with them for financial or political reasons, that they are not about to be dispossessed and tossed out, as happened in Africa.

In turn the colons must listen to the Melanesians, and co-operate with them.

Extremism must be rejected so that all may meet reasonably on the middle ground. Sadly,the prospects are not good.