CHANGES AT NOUMEA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 11

CHANGES AT NOUMEA

Ministers Held By Natives (Rec. 8 p.m.) MELBOURNE. June 22. The Government of -New Caledonia, French outpost in the Pacific, has been withdrawn and six Ministers have vanished, according to reports reaching Me’* bourne, quoted by the Melbourne “Herald.” The reports said that the upset followed a public demonstration in favour of the new French Prime Minister, General de Gaulle. It meant that control of the territory had passed from the leadership of Mr H. M. Lenormand to the Governor. Mr A. Griniald. He had assumed power for an indefinite period. Safety Committee

On Wednesday night a Committee of Public Safety was formed in anticipation of the dismissal of the Government and to help the Governor administer the territory. Reports said that the committee and other de Gaulle adherents in Noumea had nominated a delegation of five, led by Mr Henri Lafleur, to go 'o Paris to report to the de Gaulle Government. Most of the six Ministers of the Lenormand Administration were reported to have left Noumea.

The Australian Broadcasting Commission correspondent in Noumea reported by radio-telephone that native supporters of the righ‘wing parties had seized four members of the Territorial Assembly They were being detained at a small township about 80 miles from Noumea.

Though the natives claimed to be strong supporters of the Governor. Mr. Grimald had sent a detachment to the village to maintain order there. •