FREE FRANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 6

FREE FRANCE

NEW CALEDONIA JOINS THE ALLIES OPPOSITION TO VICHY (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 19 The French Pacific possession of New Caledonia has joined the colours of General de Gaulle, the leader of Free Frenchmen, with headquarters in London. The acting-Governor of the colony, Colonel Denis, has resigned after popular demonstrations against the Vichy Government. His successor is the former Resident Commissioner of the New Hebrides, M. Sautot, who took office yesterday. He was one of the first French officials to oppose the Vichy Government and to join General de Gaulle with other Free Frenchmen. Mr Sautot, in a statement, said he was glad to take office without bloodshed. The Australian Minister of External Affairs, Mr J. McEwan, announced last night that M. Sautot landed in Noumea early that morning. M. Sautot has thrown off the authority of the Vichy Government. Mr McEwan said he was pleased that Australia now had in New Caledonia an ally as her neighbour. Ties With Australia Commenting on the announcement the Federal Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, said:— “The internal government of New Caledonia is a matter for its people, but Australia naturally is interested in the developments there, which mean that the friendly French colony is strengthening the close economic and cultural ties already existing between Australia and New Caledonia. “We have extensive trade relations there and we will continue to watch affairs with helpful and sympathetic interest. We hope that as soon as possible there will be a measure of economic co-operation, not as a matter of hostility against anyone, but as a matter of mutual interest. “New Caledonia produces much nickel and chrome ores, of which Australia recently has made substantial purchases.” Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and visited by another explorer, d’Entrecasteaux, 19 years later, New Caledonia has been a French possession since 1854, when it was annexed in face of an unsuccessful British counter-claim. It is a long, narrow island, measuring 220 miles from north-west to south-east and about 30 miles in width. Two-thirds of the land surface is cultivable, and there are 1600 square miles of pasture, carrying over 100.000 head of cattle and some 5000 sheep. The climate is sub-tropical. A census in 1936 returned the total population as 53,245, including 17,384 Europeans and 28,800 natives, comprising Melanesians and Polynesians. There were also 4510 Javanese and 2356 Tonkinese.

Although New Caledonia has an export trade in copra, coffee, cotton and preserved meats, by far the most important industry is the production of metallic ores, in which the island is unusually rich. These consist mainly of nickel, chrome, cobalt and iron.

HELP FROM NORWAY

SHIPS AND AIRMEN (United Press Asn.—Eiec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 20, 3.15 p.m.) HALIFAX, Sept. 19 The chief medical officer of the Norwegian overseas forces, Dr. Liev Kreyberg, stated that many Norwegian ships in Canada and the West Indies are being armed for patrol and convoy duty. Three hundred Norwegian airmen are in training at Toronto. One hundred planes have been ordered. Norway is financing all this.

PRICE OF WOOL

INCREASE IN BRITAIN (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 18 The Wool Control has announced that the home issue price has been increased by 4 per cent for wool and by 6 per cent for tops. The increases are due to freight costs and marine insurance charges. Export issue prices are similarly increased.

Bradford reports that the increased issue prices immediately affected the yam market, spinners’ quotations advancing accordingly.