TAHITI'S STAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 8

TAHITI'S STAND

FREE FBANCE REGIME IDENTITY WITH DOMINION GOVERNMENT OFFICER'S VISIT As the direct result of a recent plebiscite taken in Tahiti, Moorea and the Paumoto Archipelago, whose people overwhelmingly cast their votes in favour of General do Gaulle, the French colony of Tahiti and the group of islands known as French Oceania have become closely identified with the interests of New Zealand. It is said that a highly-placed officer from a New Zealand Government department went to Tahiti recently to complete certain arrangements, particularly about food supplies for the islanders. According to reports the capitulation of the Petain Government caused tension in Tahiti, as it had in French possessions in other parts of the world. In Tahiti the people were hostile to the Petain Government, but the local governor, the military authorities and some civil servants supported it. Two months after the capitulation, a French sloop arrived, and the commander attempted to take charge of the island on behalf of the Petain Government, but without success. Tahiti was threatened with a food shortage, because French ships would not risk capture by British naval patrols, and British ships might have been fired upon if they attempted to sail into the harbour. One ship did approach the island, but when the master learned the risks he ran he put the. ship out to sea, and the islanders missed the cargo of supplies she carried. Meanwhile, the French sloop sailed for New Caledonia, since j ts commander had received little satisfaction from the Governor of Tahiti. The mayor and some prominent citizens challenged the Vichy regime, it is reported, and a plebiscite resulted in 5564 votes being cast for General de Gaulle, and only 18 for the Vichy Government. The IS voters and their families are said to have left the island and gone to Vancouver. The Governor was obliged to resign, together with officials in the army and civil service, and a Frenchman who was on his way to Franco from Noumea was appointed Governor of Tahiti. Peace has now been restored.