THE NEW CALEDONIANSCENE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23131, 21 September 1940, Page 12

THE NEW CALEDONIANSCENE

Demand for Home Rule

TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA

[By a Special Correspondent..!

scene in New Caledonia.

NOUMEA, September 13.

The presumed sinking of the Notcu by the German raider and the disappearance of her sole passenger. Monsieur Paul Vcis, managing director of La Societe le Nickel, has not hindered the signing of what may be termed the “nickel agreement” with Australia. By it the Commonwealth will furnish New Caledonia with the goods necessary for her existence in. exchange for nickel mattes from the Noumea smelting works.

These mattes or concentrates represent a large proportion of the French colony’s exportable wealth, and the agreement, by augmenting the purchasing power of this isolated community, should mean increased demand for Australian manufactures and foodstuffs. It is therefore good news Tor traders in the Commonwealth, some of whom have already made plans for an expansion of trade with Noumea. Such expansion has already been greatly facilitated by the abolition some two or three weeks ago of heavy customs duties against Australian products. Tariffs hitherto levied have been of two kinds, the general tariff and the minimum tariff. It is the general tariff which has now been wiped out, and in some cases the former minimum tariff has even been reduced. At the same time it must be borne in mind that the average wealth a head in New Caledonia does not permit a standard of living as high as that in Australia. In consequence many of the goods which were previously imported from France, and which it is now hoped to secure in Australia, may be found to be a little too dear for the average man’s purse. The Nickel Agreement Referring to the nickel agreement and the abolition of the general tariff, the Acting-Governor, Colonel Maurice Denis, said that the door had been opened to all the industrial products that Australia could furnish, pots and pans and radio sets, machinery and automobiles. The agreement was at present based on nickel, but of course the colony had other exportable products which they hoped the Commonwealth would also become interested In, such as coffee, chrome, cotton (ol which samples have already been sent to Australia), and hides.

It is announced to-day that Colonel Denis, Acting-Governor ol New Caledonia, has resigned to make way for another appointed by General de Gaulle. This article reviews the political and economic

“We have no such arrangements.in New Zealand,” he added, “but if the country is inclined to institute a twoway trading agreement, we shall be glad to enter into negotiations with them.” He said British shipping would be welcome in New Caledonian ports as this country was not affected by the German-French armistice terms apply. • ing to France. • .■ . I asked the Governor if he did not regard the agreement with Australia as merely a war-time expedient and whether he did • not think that once peace was established France would be likely to bolt and bar Caledonia’s doors once more against Australian manufactures. Doors Will Never Close “No,” he replied, “I do not flu'nlt the doors will ever again be closed against you as they have been in the past. The colony must fit herself as she has never before done to play her part in the Pacific economy bystrengthening her' ’commercial relations and political friendship with every Pacific country, from the United States to Australia and New Zealand, and as far afield as Indo-China. That is this country’s future, and her rightful destiny, France herself seems to be moving now toward a policy of decentralisation; and if the provinces of the mother country are themselves being decentralised, is there not even more reason to suppose that when the war is over a distant colony like New Calcdonia will play a more self-sufficient and self-governing role than she has hitherto?” Self-Government This forecast seems to be significant for New Caledonia’s future, for much of the past and present discontent here has been due to the rigidly centralised control from Paris. The longing for a far greater measure of home rule is the theme of many a speech in the local Conseil General, and is also at the back of the de Gaulle demonstrations now being indulged in in Noumea. With something- akin 1-. Dominion status, New Caledonia would be as loyal to France as Australia and New Zealand are loyal to Britain. Not only that, but freed from the blighting control of distant politicians who have never troubled to understand her problems, she would probably attract a good class of emigrant and share in the inevitable expansion of commerce and industry in the South Pacific.