UNREST SUBDUED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 8

UNREST SUBDUED

By Telegraph—Press Association.

CONDITIONS IN NOUMEA OPEN REVOLT UNLIKELY

Auckland, Last Night. No indications of unrest likely to lead to open revolt against the French aaministration of Noumea were noticed by travellers by the American Clipper which arrived from Noumea to-day. They reported that the island seemed quiet though the strong proBritish opinions reported by former Clipper visitors to Noumea had in no way abated. "I saw no sign of revolt at Noumea," said Mr. Julius M. Rapaport, Pennsylvania. "I was told a very large majority of people there is for General De Gaulle and strongly in sympathy with Britain." Confusion in Nickel Industry. Confusion in the nickel industry was also reported. Statistics and vital information had been prepared and entrusted to M. Paul Vois, who had visited Australia. He was returning to Noumea on a ship that was thought to have fallen victim to an enemy raider, and with him disappeared important documents he was carrying, together with much-needed information about the results of his mission. Stocks of nickel were now accumulating and those on the island did not know how to dispose of them or what action to take.