A referendum on the new

constitution of France The current Constitution of France was adopted on 4 October 1958. It is typically called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic , and it replaced the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of 1946 with the exception of the preamble per a Constitu ...

was held in

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

on 28 September 1958 as part of a wider referendum held across the French Union. If accepted, the new constitution would see the country become part of the new

French Community The French Community (1958–1960; french: Communauté française) was the constitutional organization set up in 1958 between France and its remaining African colonies, then in the process of decolonization. It replaced the French Union, which ...

. If rejected, the referendum would result in independence. It was approved by 98.12% of voters.

Campaign

In August 1958 the leaders of the two main parties,

Maurice Lenormand Maurice may refer to: People *Saint Maurice (died 287), Roman legionary and Christian martyr *Maurice (emperor) or Flavius Mauricius Tiberius Augustus (539–602), Byzantine emperor *Maurice (bishop of London) (died 1107), Lord Chancellor and Lo ...

of the

Caledonian Union The Caledonian Union (, UC) is a pro-independence and the oldest political party in New Caledonia. In the latest legislative elections of May 10, 2009, the party won around 11.65% of the popular vote, and 9 out of 54 seats in the Territorial Co ...

and

Georges Chatenay Georges may refer to: Places *Georges River, New South Wales, Australia *Georges Quay (Dublin) *Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania Other uses *Georges (name) * ''Georges'' (novel), a novel by Alexandre Dumas * "Georges" (song), a 1977 ...

of the

National Centre of Social Republicans The National Centre of Social Republicans (''Centre national des républicains sociaux'', CNRS), or Social Republicans (''Républicains sociaux'', RS), was a French Gaullist political party founded in 1954. The party succeeded the Rally of the F ...

, met French President

Charles de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (; ; (commonly abbreviated as CDG) 22 November 18909 November 1970) was a French army officer and statesman who led Free France against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government ...

and committed to advocate for a 'yes' vote.New constitution in French South Pacific
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', October 1958, p19 The ''Caledonien'' newspaper attacked Governor Aimé Grimald for supporting the 'yes' campaign. Some trade unionists opposed supporting the new constitution, arguing that de Gaulle was aligned with the wealthy.

Results

Voters were asked the question "Do you approve of the Constitution proposed by the Government of the Republic".France's fateful decision soon
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', September 1958, p19

References

{{New Caledonian elections 1958 in New Caledonia

September 1958 events in Oceania Referendums in New Caledonia Constitutional referendums