COLONIAL EMPIRE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 184, 10 July 1940, Page 3

COLONIAL EMPIRE

VAST FRENCH POSSESSIONS TERRITORY IN PACIFIC ISLANDS NEAR NEW ZEALAND Following upon the capitulation of France in the struggle against Germany, speculation has arisen regarding the position of her vast colonial Empire. , The overseas possessions of France, in extent and importance, are surpassed only by those of the British Empire. In the 18th century France tost part of numerous great colonies and settlements t>ut by 1914 again a Vast new colonial Empire had been built up, including North-west Africa almost en bloc, Madagascar and Indo-Ghina. Algeria, where there is most scope for European immigration, is in certain respects treated as part of France; Tunis and Morocco are protectorates and Syria, Cameron and Togo are territories mandated by the League of Nations. Unusual Position. The full realisation of the effect of France's capitulation must become apparent to New Zealanders when the position of French possessions in the South Pacific is considered. In the New Hebrides, a most unusual position has arisen. This territory is a condominium, being under the joint control of Britain and Farnce, and in the present situation accordingly represents an extremely complex problem. Other French possessions in the South Pacific are New Caledonia and dependencies, including the Loyalty Islands with the port of Noumea, the Society Island with Tahiti as a centre and the Marquesas Islands. In addition France controls the Tuamotu on Low Archipelago—a huge extent of unimportant islands. When it is realised that about 1200 and 1050 miles respectively separate New Zealand from the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, the position of this Dominion is thrown into vivid relief. Rarotonga (British), is only 619 north-east of Tahiti in the Society Islands, which are approximately 2800 east of the New Hebrides. A distance of some 875 miles separates Tahiti and Nukahiya in tlje Marquesas Islands. The Tonga or Friendly Islands (British), are less than halfway between the New Hebrides and the Society Islands and are in a direct line with the possession of France. Close to Rarotonga. South of the Society Islands lie the relatively unimportant Tabuai or Austral Islands, which also belong to France, Only about 340 miles separate Huli Island in this group from Rarotonga, which is 1036 miles from Auckland. Australia is similarly affected, Naumea in the New Caledonians being some 1100 miles from Rockhampton in -Queensland. In India France control Pandicherry and Kakikal on the Eastern coast, and Mahe on the western. The following table serves to indivate the full extent of French colonial possessions!—. I French West Africa. Colonies Sq M. Population Algeria .. .. 222,000 5,806.000 Tunis .... 48,000 2,100,000 < Morocco .. .. IGOjOOO 5,400,000 1 Sahara .. .. 925,000 500,000 I Senegal . . .. 74,000 1,225,000 f French Sudan .. 360,000 2,500,000 «' Upper Volta .. 120,000 3,000,000 « Guinea .... 90,000 1,900,000 * Ivory Coast .. 122,000 1,550,000 * Dahomey .. .. 42,000 850,000 Mauritania .. .. 155,000 260 ; X)00 ' Niger Territory 465,000 1,100,000 1 Togo .... 20,000 670,000 fin _n French Equatorial Africa. j. Gabun .. .. 120,000 1,300,000 n Middle Congo .. 150,000 1,400,000 s< Übangi-Shari ... 205.000 1.600,000 t Chad .... 490,000 2,000,000 Cameron .. .. 165,000 2,000,000 = 1 Other African Possessions. Djibouti .. . w 45.000 220,000 Madagascar .. .. 228,000 3,278,000 Mayoitte and Co- ( More Is. .... 800 110,000 C Reunion .... 1,000 173,000 a Total for Africa 4,207,800 38,942,000 S Middle East. India .. .. 200 270,000 Syria .... 60,000 3,000,000 French Indo-China. Cochin-China .. 22,000 3,800,000 j Tongking .. .. 45,000 6,850,000 Cambodia .. .. 70,000 2,400.000 s Annam .. .. 63,000 5,000,000 Laos .... 100,000 820,000 Kwang C'hau .. 400 182,000 i (Continued at foot of next column) C

Total lor IncloChina and Middle East 360,000 22,322,000 French Antilles. Guiana .. .. 33,000 50.000 Guadeloupe and Dependencies .. 700 220,000 Martinique .. 400 245,000 St. Pierre and Miquilon .. .. 100 4,000 Total for America .... 34.200 519,000 Pacific. New Caledonia & Dependencies 7,700 50,000 Society Islands, Marquisas, etc. 1,600 32,500 Total for Oceania 9 ; 300 82,000 Grand total .. 4,612,000 61,865,000