FRENCH COLONISTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 8

FRENCH COLONISTS

CONDEMNED AS HUMBUGS INDISCREET CONSUL-GENERAL SYDNEY, Oct. 8. The French Consul-general in Australia, M. Tremoulet, officially stated that he represented.the Petain Government, which was the only French Government, and condemned as humbugs French citizens living in the Pacific who had declared for General de Gaulle. He explained that diplomatic relations had not been broken off with the British Government or the dominions. “ The mere fact that I am here in my official capacity is sufficient proof that my position is recognised by the Commonwealth Government,” he said. The Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs, Mr J. McEwan, replying, said he regretted the reflection made by M. Tremoulet on the French Pacific colonies. He added: “ It is true that M. Tremoulet is recognised by the Commonwealth Government as Consul-general for France, but Consular representation is by no means identical with diplomatic representation. The attitude of the United Kingdom Government is shared exactly by the Australian Government. We sympathise with Continental France in her military defeat, but applaud the courageous attitude of the French colonists who are determined to fight on till victory is won.”