DOCSLIB.ORG

Land and Politics in New Caledonia Alanwward

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Land and Politics in New Caledonia Alanwward Land and politics in New Caledonia Alanwward Polltlcal and social Change Monograph 2 Political and Social Change Monograph 2 LAND AND POLITICS IN NEW CALEDONIA Alan Ward Department of Political and Social Change Re search School of Pacific Studies Australian National University Canberra , 1982 © Alan Ward This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be made to the publisher. First published 1982 , Department of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific Studies, The Australian National University. Printed and manufactured in Australia by Pink Panther Instant Printing. Distributed by Department of Political & Social Change Research School of Pacific Studies The Australian National University Box 4, P.O. Canberra, A.C.T. Australia National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-publication entry Ward, Alan, 1935- . Land and politics in New Caledonia. Bibliography Includes index. ISBN - 86784 077 3. 1. New Caledonia - Politics and government. 2. Land use - Planning - New Caledonia. I. Australian National University. Dept. of Political and Social Change. II. Title. (Series: Political and social change nvnograph; 2). ISSN 072 7-5994. 320.993'2 CONTENTS Preface i Colonial origins 1 Demographic and political change 13 Proposals for systematic land reform 26 The Di joud plan 32 New directions in land policy 49 The outlook 61 (a) the French state 61 (b) the settlers 64 (c) the Kanaks 66 (d) the interaction 68 (e) impli cations 73 Australia's responsibility 75 Postscript 78 References 79 Index 81 Preface This work arose out of my preoccupation with land in Oceania - la nd as a key focus of the values and aspirations of the peoples of Oceania. The interests of indigenous and settler peoples con­ cerning land have recently produced some sharp confrontations, but there are also deeper-seated choices between 'tradition' and 'modernity' which complicate, and may override, the essentially colonial issues. The technical aspects of land tenure or land reform both reflect and shape the flux of values and aspirations. During the decolonization of the Anglophone islands of Oceania a considerable amount of comparative experience was developed about how to mediate between competing aspirations and to assist in the evolution of new ones, with concern for social stability. This knowledge is, of course, embedded in the context of much larger social, economic, legal and political concerns, often reflecting deep cultural divisions between Oceanic and European peoples. The purpose of my research in New Caledonia was to observe this inter­ action in a French territory and to exchange knowledge about experience in the Anglophone states. I gratefully acknowledge the reciprocal interest by the directorate and scholars of ORSTOM, the French Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Te�hnique Outre-Mer, who enabled me to study in association with them in Noumea. Their assistance and advice, and that of the High Commissioner and senior officials in New Caledonia, was generous and kind. Our discussions were frank and cordial. Moreover, I travelled and talked freely with people of all races and social categories. I have tried to represent their various viewpoints accurately and with due emphasis. The overall judgements and interpretations expressed here are, however, strictly my own. The primary intention of studying the evolution and particularly the judicial framework of the current land reform (reforme fonciere) in New Caledonia is, I hope, reflected in the ensuing pages. It was irranediately apparent, however, that the land reform was being shaped very greatly by the political context: the opposition between Melanesian nationalism seeking Independance Kanak on the one hand, and French corranitment to a multi-ethnic society on the other, with the Melanesians being only one group, outnumbered by a majority of settler groups. This study has, in the end, therefore become much nore concerned about politics than was originally intended. I have allowed this to occur because of the intense interest in Australia about New Caledonia. Not, it should be added, by the 'average' Australian, whose interest in New Caledonia is nore accurately symbolized by the suntanned bodies on the beach of the Club Med at Noumea. But among Australian academics, officials, and those politicians concerned with the Oceanic region there is very ii gre at concern and anxiety to understand the complexities of the Territory during an era of pro found change in the re gion . It seemed important to write as fully as possible about it. The extraordinary rnisperceptions on all sides about the forces operating in Vanuatu, rnisperceptions which led to civil stri fe and nearly to a tragedy of quite horrible magnitude for the region, have re affirmed my convic­ tions about that . The interpretation offered he re is a personal one . It is bound to provoke dissent. I hope it will provide discussion , across national and ethnic lines , in the inte rests of understanding and stabi lity in the region . Often research and wri ting about New Caledonia has been a sad experience , because everywhere one encounters people of goodwi ll, possessed of great talent, of great warmth and charm , by no means narrowly self-seeking , ye t who are at odds with one another from the depths of their di fferent cultural commitments . Their hostility often seems needless - often to be based on judgements about the worst, not the best or even the average , of the other culture , the other race . It is a beauti ful land , where racial divisions have been needlessly strengthened rather than assuaged , where two cultural traditions have been placed in opposition , rather than each valued for the contribution it can make to a new emergent Oceanian society. The search for insti tutional ways of bridging and sharing has been minimal . In the last few years , however, there have been signs of gre ater understanding and flexibility , notably in land matters . Taken further , and wri t larger, the se attitudes could have re sulted in the truly Caledonian people of di ffering ethnic origins deve loping some common cause , out of common re cognition that it is an Oceanian society , not a European one , which needed to be built. But now the con frontations have intensified and it is probably too late to bridge the racial gul f. In conclusion I wi sh to acknowledge the assistance of the School of Humani ties at La Trobe Univers ity in contributing to the costs of re search and to the Research Centre for Southwest Paci fic Studies , La Trobe University, and the Department of Political & Social Change , Aus tralian National University, for providing opportunity to discuss aspects of the work in semin ars . In particular I wish to thank my co lleagues Dr Bronwe n Douglas and Dr Myriam Dorney , for reading and commenting on the text , Dr Dorney for re ading French National As sembly debates in the National Library , and Professor Jamie Mackie and Dr Ron May for encouraging me to publish the work. A.W . November 1981 ABBREVIATIONS AICLF Association des Indigenes Caledoniens et Loyaltiens Francais CFP Cours du Franc Pacifique FADIL Fonds d'Aide au neveloppement des Iles et de l'Interieur FI Front Independantiste FIDES Fonds d'Investissement de Developpement Economique et Social FNSC Federation Pour une Nouvelle societe Caledonienne FULK Front Uni pour la Liberation des Kanaks JARM Jeunesse d'Action et de Reflexion Caledonien JC Jeunes Canaques Francais MLC Mouvement Liberal Caledonien MOP Mouvement Pour l'Ordre et la Paix ORSTOM Off ice de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer PALI KA Parti de Liberation Kanak. PR Parti Republicain PSC Parti Socialiste Caledonien RPC Rassemblement Pour la Caledonie RPCR Rassemblement Pour la Caledonie dans la Republique RPR Rassemblement Pour la Republique RURALE Ruraux, unis pour une reforme agraire liberale et equitable UC Union Caledonienne UICALO Union des Indigenes Caledoniens Amis de la Liberte dans l'Ordre UMNC Union Multiraciale de Nouvelle Caledonie UNC Union Nouvelle Caledonienne UPM Union Progressiste Multiraciale (1974-1977) Union Progressiste Melanesianne (1977- ) 1 billion 1 milliard 1,000 , 000 ,000 164' 166' 168' ' � 20' 20' �o . �/ J J- / .s-,,,, � -�C) -:> O' cl' .\) NEW CALEDONIA 22 22' (J 0 100 [).fie des Pins Kilometres 164 166' 168' From the late 1960s radical groups among the Melanesians of New Caledonia began to campaign for Independence. By the mid 1970s three Melanesian political parties championing Independence held seats in the Territorial Assembly and in 1977 the multi-racial Union Caledonienne also opted for Independence. The French govern­ ment has recently sought to meet the pressures with a wide-ranging progranune of economic and social development. Central to the programme is a renewed reforme fonciere aimed at returning sub­ stantial areas of land on the main island - the Grande Terre - to Melanesian ownership and control. There is considerable agree­ ment that this is urgently necessary. But there is great disagree­ ment about the extent and location of the land to be affected, the terms on which it will be acquired and the manner on which it should be reallocated among Melanesians. These matters underlie current New Caledonian politics and strongly affect the Independence issue. This text will examine the reform programme, and the land reform in particular, in relation to New Caledonian society and politics, including the colonial background. It will then attempt to relate the New Caledonian situation to Australia's regional interests and responsibilities. COLONIAL ORIGINS Several authors have traced with thoroughness and skill the impact of colonization on Melanesian society and Melanesian lands (notably Douglas 1972; Saussol 1971, 1979; Roux 1974, 19771). Bronwen Douglas cites the official attitude in Paris shortly after the annexation in 1853.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • American Samoa Conference Communique FINAL
    Communiqué Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police • PICP Women’s Advisory Network (WAN) Chairs’ Meeting - 19 and 20 August Shaping our future WAN 2020-2024 • 48th Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Conference – 21 to 23 August A Pacific United: Preventing drug harm within our communities This year the annual PICP Conference and the PICP WAN Chairs’ Meeting were held in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The events were hosted by the American Samoa Department of Public Safety who provided assistance with planning, resources and logistics, and who created a safe and welcoming environment for all the attendees. Over the course of the five days, close to 100 delegates were in attendance including: • Nineteen of the twenty-one PICP Chiefs • Nineteen of the twenty-one PICP WAN Chairs’ • Guest speakers and observers from INTERPOL, International Association of Chiefs of Police, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Pacific Islands Forum, Oceania Customs Organisation, Forum Fisheries Agency, ERS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Aus) and other non-government organisations and police services from Pacific countries. Although delegates attended from a range of organisations and sectors, it was clear that all shared common bonds; a commitment to work collaboratively towards solutions, to strengthen communications locally and regionally, and to endorse actions that would lead to better policing and security across the Pacific. A special thank you to the Samoa Police Service and the Government of Samoa who assisted with in- transit transportation of delegates in Apia, Samoa. PICP Women’s Advisory Network (WAN) Chairs’ Meeting – 21 to 23 August The PICP Women’s Advisory Network (WAN) Chairs’ Meeting was held at Tradewinds Hotel.
    [Show full text]
  • Linguapax Review 2010 Linguapax Review 2010
    LINGUAPAX REVIEW 2010 MATERIALS / 6 / MATERIALS Col·lecció Materials, 6 Linguapax Review 2010 Linguapax Review 2010 Col·lecció Materials, 6 Primera edició: febrer de 2011 Editat per: Amb el suport de : Coordinació editorial: Josep Cru i Lachman Khubchandani Traduccions a l’anglès: Kari Friedenson i Victoria Pounce Revisió dels textos originals en anglès: Kari Friedenson Revisió dels textos originals en francès: Alain Hidoine Disseny i maquetació: Monflorit Eddicions i Assessoraments, sl. ISBN: 978-84-15057-12-3 Els continguts d’aquesta publicació estan subjectes a una llicència de Reconeixe- ment-No comercial-Compartir 2.5 de Creative Commons. Se’n permet còpia, dis- tribució i comunicació pública sense ús comercial, sempre que se’n citi l’autoria i la distribució de les possibles obres derivades es faci amb una llicència igual a la que regula l’obra original. La llicència completa es pot consultar a: «http://creativecom- mons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/es/deed.ca» LINGUAPAX REVIEW 2010 Centre UNESCO de Catalunya Barcelona, 2011 4 CONTENTS PRESENTATION Miquel Àngel Essomba 6 FOREWORD Josep Cru 8 1. THE HISTORY OF LINGUAPAX 1.1 Materials for a history of Linguapax 11 Fèlix Martí 1.2 The beginnings of Linguapax 14 Miquel Siguan 1.3 Les débuts du projet Linguapax et sa mise en place 17 au siège de l’UNESCO Joseph Poth 1.4 FIPLV and Linguapax: A Quasi-autobiographical 23 Account Denis Cunningham 1.5 Defending linguistic and cultural diversity 36 1.5 La defensa de la diversitat lingüística i cultural Fèlix Martí 2. GLIMPSES INTO THE WORLD’S LANGUAGES TODAY 2.1 Living together in a multilingual world.
    [Show full text]
  • Vanuatu & New Caledonia
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Vanuatu & New Caledonia Vanuatu p46 New Caledonia p128 THIS EDITION WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY Paul Harding, Craig McLachlan PLAN YOUR TRIP ON THE ROAD Welcome to Vanuatu VANUATU . 46 The Dog’s Head . 72 & New Caledonia . 4 Efate . 47 Lamap . 74 Vanuatu & New Port Vila & Around . 47 The Maskelynes . 74 Caledonia’s Top 12 . 8 Efate Ring Road . 59 Ambrym . 75 Need to Know . 16 Havannah Harbour . 60 Central Ambrym . 76 If You Like… . 18 West Coast West Ambrym . 77 Offshore Islands . 60 North Ambrym . 78 Month by Month . 20 Nguna & Pele . 61 East Ambrym . 78 Itineraries . 23 Epi . 62 South Ambrym . 78 Which Island? . 28 Tanna . 63 Espiritu Santo . 78 East Tanna . 65 Diving . 34 Luganville & Around . 79 West Tanna . 67 The East Coast Road . 85 Travel with Children . 38 Malekula . 68 Pentecost, Regions at a Glance . .. 41 Lakatoro & Around . 70 Ambae & Maewo . 88 Uripiv & Uri . 72 Pentecost . 88 Ambae . 90 ERIC LAFFORGUE /GETTY IMAGES © IMAGES /GETTY ERIC LAFFORGUE © IMAGES /GETTY PETER HENDRIE SMALL NAMBAS GIRL, MALEKULA, VANUATU P68 MOIRENC CAMILLE / HEMIS.FR /GETTY IMAGES © IMAGES /GETTY HEMIS.FR / MOIRENC CAMILLE ÎLOT MAÎTRE, NEW CALEDONIA P132 Contents SURVIVAL GUIDE Maewo . 90 Vanuatu Health . 204 Directory A–Z . 118 Banks & Language . 207 Torres Islands . 91 Vanuatu Transport . 124 Gaua (Santa Maria) . 91 Index . .. 217 Vanua Lava . 91 NEW CALEDONIA . 128 Map Legend . 223 Motalava & Rah . 91 Grande Terre . 129 Torres Islands . 91 Noumea . 129 Vanuatu Today . 96 The Far South . 143 La Foa & Around . 147 Vanuatu History . 98 Bourail & Around . 149 Vanuatu Northwest Coast . 151 Environment .
    [Show full text]
  • The Internment and Repatriation of the Japanese-French Nationals Resident in New Caledonia, 1941–1946
    PORTAL Journal of RESEARCH ARTICLE Multidisciplinary The Internment and Repatriation of the International Studies Japanese-French Nationals Resident in Vol. 14, No. 2 September 2017 New Caledonia, 1941–1946 Rowena G. Ward Communities Acting for Sustainability in the Pacific University of Wollongong Special Issue, guest edited by Anu Bissoonauth and Rowena Corresponding author: Dr Rowena G. Ward, Senior Lecturer in Japanese, School of Humanities Ward. and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia. [email protected] DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/portal.v14i2.5478 © 2017 by the author(s). This Article History: Received 03/04/2017; Revised 16/07/2017; Accepted 18/06/2017; is an Open Access article Published 05/10/2017 distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Abstract Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ The pre-1941 Japanese population of New Caledonia was decimated by the French by/4.0/), allowing third parties administration’s decision to transfer most of the Japanese residents to Australia for internment to copy and redistribute the at the outbreak of the Asia-Pacific theatre of the Second World War. Among the men material in any medium transferred to Australia were ten men who had been formerly French nationals but had lost or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the their French nationality by decree. The French Administration’s ability to denationalise and material for any purpose, even intern, and then subsequently repatriate, the former-Japanese French-nationals was possible commercially, provided the due to changes to the French nationality laws and regulations introduced by the Vichy regime.
    [Show full text]
  • Blancs in New Caledonia
    From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific: Affranchis and Petits- Blancs in New Caledonia Karin Speedy, Macquarie University The sugar crisis of 1860 in the Indian Ocean island of Réunion motivated the migration of thousands of Réunionnais to New Caledonia in the Pacific. Along with sugar planters, wealthy enough to transport their production equipment as well as their indentured workers, significant groups of both skilled and unskilled labourers made their way from Réunion to the Pacific colony in the second half of the nineteenth century. In previous publications, I have focused my attention on the sugar industry and the immigration of the rich planters and their coolies.1 While I have drawn attention to the heterogeneity of the sugar workers and have signalled the arrival and numeric importance of tradespeople, manual and low skilled workers from Réunion, I have not yet described these immigrants in detail. This is because this group has been largely ignored by history and details surrounding their circumstances are scant. In this paper, I discuss the background and origins of these people and highlight some of the fascinating stories to emerge from this migration to New Caledonia and beyond. From the earliest days of French settlement, immigrants from the Indian Ocean island of Réunion settled in New Caledonia. These ‘pioneers’ were generally involved in agricultural activities, laying the foundations for the sugar and coffee industries that would attract many of their compatriots in the coming years. In 1863, in a quest to populate the nascent colony, New Caledonian Governor Guillain made a special appeal 1 For details see Speedy (2007a, 2007b, 2008, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Human Impact from the Paleoenvironmental Record on New Caledonia V 253
    Human Impact from the I Paleoenvironmental Record I on New Caledonia Janelle Stevenson Archaeologist Introduction The paleoenvironmental records for three sites on New Caledonia are currently being investigated. An interesting aspect of these records is the period that overlaps with New Caledonia's known human occupation. Pleistocene occupation sites in the Bismark Archipelago and on Buka Island at the northern end of the Solomon Islands chain record the early movement of people into northwest Island Melanesia (Allen et al., 1988; Wickler and Spriggs, 1988). There is consensus that for the islands east of the Solomons colonisation took place from 3,200 BP onwards and in conjunction with the introduction of Lapita pottery. However, the question of whether people moved beyond the Solomons prior to this time will be a matter of speculation as long as a human ori- gin for the so-called tumuli of New Caledonia is entertained (see Sand, 1995 p. 44). Sand (1996) also points to the lack of rock shelter excavations for New Caledonia making it difficult to definitively rule out pre-ceramic populations. The paleoenviron- mental records from the island are one line of evidence, independent of the archaeolo- gical record, that may throw light on the question of human colonisation in the southwest Pacific. Pollen and Charcoal Analyses Analyses of fossil pollen and charcoal from two sites, Saint Louis and Plum (Fig. l), are presented here. Identificatio~~oi lowland tropical pollen is inherently difficult and it 252 V Le Pacifique de 5000 a 2000 avant le present /The Pacific from 5000 to 2000 BP h 1650 east 8Belep I Figure 1 Location map of Lac Saint Louis and Plum Swamp, Shading denotes ultrabasic terrain.
    [Show full text]
  • Coral Reef Status Report for the Northern Mariana Islands
    1 Coral reef condition: 20 8 A status report for the FAIR NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Coral reefs are important Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, with high cultural and economic significance. Located in the western Pacific basin, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is made up of 14 islands extending over 600 kilometers. Coral reefs are important to the people of CNMI because they provide traditional and subsistence uses, production of commercial food products, recreational opportunities for a healthy tourist economy, and physical protection from storms. Culture and Food The indigenous ethnic groups of the Marianas, the Chamorro and Carolinian, are closely tied to the natural environment. Surveys indicate that about 96% of residents who go fishing, do so to feed their families. Ancient Chamorros and Carolinians were expert fishermen with inherent knowledge of harvesting reef fish species such as tàtaga (unicornfish), mafute’ (emperor), and palakse’ (parrotfish). Traditional fishing methods such as Trianni Mike spearfishing and talaya (throw-net) help preserve the cultural identity of the islands. The connection between coral reefs and society is integral as the reefs provide habitat for most species as well as numerous ecosystem services, including protection of culturally significant areas along the CNMI coastlines. Surveys of CNMI residents indicate that 91% of respondents agree that coral reefs are important to their culture (NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science 2018). Alexandra Fries Alexandra Tourism The economic importance of the CNMI coral reef ecosystem is significant. In addition to providing food, shelter, and cultural significance for the citizens of CNMI, the coral reefs generate revenue from tourists and recreational users that are attracted to the beauty of the coral and its inhabitants.
    [Show full text]
  • Armoires Etagères Boite N° Thémes Nature Des Documents 1 Nature
    Armoires Boite n° Thémes Nature des documents 1 Nature des documents 2 Nature des documents 3 Auteur Commentaires Dons de : Etagères 1 - 03 cartes postales 1 Charente-Maritime Photos de: Arçais - Bessinnes - Coulon - Fors - Le Bourdet - La Foye Monjault - Magné - La Classeur Classeur Photos Toutes ces photos sont Rochénard - Priaires - Photos classées par village Photos n°1 numérisées Prin - St Georges de Rex - St Hilaire La Palud - Saint Symphorien - Sansais - Thorigny Photos de: Frontenay Classeur Classeur Photos Rohan Rohan - Toutes ces photos sont Photos classées par village Photos n°2 Usseau - Charente numérisées Maritime - Vendée Photos de: Epannes - Classeur Classeur Photos Toutes ces photos sont Amuré - Le Pont - Photos classées par village Photos n°3 numérisées La Gorre Photos de: Mauzé sur le Mignon. Dans boîte plastique: Photos de Mauzé - cartes postales anciennes Deux- Sèvres et Charente Maritime - Fêtes à Classeur Classeur Photos Caillié anciennes Photos classées Photos n°4 (numérisées) - Cartes postales diverses - Photos aériennes gare et laiterie de Mauzé 1945 (numérisées) - Négatifs Inondations du 4/01/1961 (numérisées) Classeur Classeur Photos Toutes ces photos sont Photos de: Photos classées par village Photos n°5 numérisées 1 - 03 cartes postales 2 Costumes ert coiffes 1 - 03 cartes postales 3 Coulon Magné 1 - 03 cartes postales 4 Deux-Sèvres 1 - 03 cartes postales 5 Epannes 1 - 03 cartes postales 6 Frontenay R-R 1 - 03 cartes postales 7 Irleau 1 - 03 cartes postales 8 La Rochelle 1 - 03 cartes postales 9 Marans Mauzé
    [Show full text]
  • Wallis and Futuna HEALTH SITUATION Wallis and Futuna Is Located in the South Pacific Ocean
    Wallis and Futuna HEALTH SITUATION Wallis and Futuna is located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago comprises two groups of volcanic islands: Wallis (Uvea) and Futuna. The estimated population was 12 200 in 2015, with about 70% of the population living in Wallis and 30% in Futuna. Improved care and rising living standards in Wallis and Futuna have helped to control many infectious diseases, resulting in increased life expectancy and a steady decline in infant mortality. But lifestyle changes (unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical inactivity) have led to a rise in metabolic pathologies and other NCDs. NCDs and chronic diseases are major public health concerns. Cardiovascular diseases and their complications are the leading causes of death in the country, while chronic renal insufficiency is increasing. Rheumatic fever is also common, with a cohort of 300–400 cases treated regularly. Cutaneous infections, mainly erysipelas, account for http:// www.who.int/countries/en/ 50% of visits and hospitalizations. The prevalence of leptospirosis is estimated to be 840 cases per 100 000 inhabitants per year in Futuna; WHO region Western Pacific however, severe forms are rare, with a case fatality rate of 0.5%. No World Bank income group true emergence of arbovirus has been observed in Wallis and Futuna. Healthy Islands Monitoring Framework Indicators Number of skilled health workers* per 10 000 population 69 (2008) HEALTH POLICIES AND SYSTEMS Per capita total expenditure on health at average exchange The Agence de Santé of Wallis and Futuna is a state-run, state-owned rate (US$) NA public institution. There is no private sector.
    [Show full text]
  • The French Pacific Territories and Free Trade
    Asia Pacific Bulletin The French Pacific Territories and Free Trade BY JEREMY ELLERO Since the early 2000s, there has been an acceleraon of economic cooperaon projects in Oceania with the apparent goal of introducing common regional rules for free trade. These aempts to move towards a single market include the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relaons (PACER, 2001), the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA, 2002), and the most recent aempts at rafying PACER Plus (2017). However, New Caledonia and French Polynesia are sll absent from the negoaons. Dr Jeremy Ellero, Research Associate at the Law and Oceania covers a sixth of the globe and its naons shows striking contrasts. Whether it be in surface area, populaon density, or GDP, Pacific islands countries can appear as a composite and Economics Research fragmented space. Laboratory at the University of New Caledonia, explains The French territories of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna suffer from the that “The integration of the same isolaon and narrowness of markets as the majority of Small Island States (SIS). For example, French territories into the though the French Polynesian archipelago is richly endowed with mineral resources, it can only leverage its exceponal natural heritage through tourism, whereas the Wallis and Futuna Islands wider drivers in Oceania rely solely on mainland financial transfers. would induce a modernization of the growth fundamentals Regardless, the French territories are characterized by levels of gross domesc product (GDP) and and a homogenization of the human development comparable with those of developed countries. Indeed, massive financial transfers combined with tariffs and quotas on imported goods have created overprotected level of economic economies whose purchasing power is unrelated to actual economic power.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiders from Some Pacific Islands, Part IV the Cook Islands and Niue
    Spiders from Some Pacific Islands, Part IV The Cook Islands and Niue B. J. MARPLES1 THE COOK ISLANDS are a group of small islands arately. Of the 30 species, 27 are recorded also in the region of the central South Pacific from Samoa, 15 from the Cook Islands, and 11 bounded by 8°_23° S. and 156°-16r W. They from ',' the Society Islands. Samoa is the largest are divisible into two groups, the northern land mass in this region and the one whose Cooks which are small atolls, and the southern spider fauna is best known. Fiji, to the west, Cooks which, with one exception, are volcanic has not yet been adequately explored. Of the islands. The southern Cooks are surrounded by three species recorded from Niue but not from coral formations and in some cases have been Samoa, N ephila prolixa represents the most raised so that the islands have a coral rim up easterly extension of the genus in the Pacific. to 300 ft. high. The largest island is Rarotonga, It occurs in Fiji and Tonga and was recorded with an area of some 26 sq. mi. and rising to by Koch (l871) some 90 years ago in Samoa, a height of 2,140 ft. The Society Islands, the but it has not been recorded there since. Dras­ next group to the east, lie some 600 mi. from sodes ciusi, a new r ec ord, was previously Raroronga. described from N ew Caledonia and the Loyalty The island of N iue will be considered to­ Islands far to the west.
    [Show full text]
  • Discord and Factionalism in New Caledonia
    CULTURAL POLITICS: DISCORD AND FACTIONALISM IN NEW CALEDONIA, 1991 TO 1993 Margaret Alison Taylor A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of London 1997 LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 1 UMI Number: U109404 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U109404 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 I w£S£S> F 74^7 ABSTRACT This thesis focusses on the activities of a group of young French people staying in a hostel in Noumea from 1991 to 1993. It draws on my fieldwork in Noumea and Mare in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia. The main part of the thesis looks at the interactions of this group of young people with other ethnic and social groups living in New Caledonia. These include the Kanaks, the “Caldoches” (native-born Caledonians of French origin), the “Metros” (immigrants from metropolitan France), Pacific islanders, Vietnamese and Indonesians. The thesis also includes a short section describing Mare itself and my fieldwork there. Particular attention is paid to the Kanaks and to the Caldoches, whose rural and urban lifestyles are compared and contrasted to those of the young people being studied.
    [Show full text]