FRENCH COLONIES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8841, 18 June 1907, Page 2

FRENCH COLONIES.

Slid to bo for Sale. Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, June 18. Noumea n files publish a circumstantial statement that an agent of the Commonwealth was in Paris some time ago trying to purchase New Caledonia for £60,000,000. A Noumean correspondent states that the gun boat Zeedee and the cruiser Catinat have left Noumea for Tahiti. The object of the visit may be in connection with the forthcoming National Fete, but is coincident with a state of affairs that suggests a more grave reason. Commenting on the reported attempt to purchase New Caledonia the Noumean newspaper Bulletin du Commerce declares in view of the abandonment of and contempt for their rights, New Caledonians are not deceived and only know that the declaration that New Caledonia and Tahiti are for exchange for money, is approved by some members of the French Ministry and Parliament. 'A Noumean correspondent says that according to reports which have reached Noumea, the population of Tahiti is in a state bordering on anarchy „as a result of the recent heavy increase in taxation, which, owing to acute financial depression they are unable to meet.