NEW HEBRIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 152, 28 June 1901, Page 4

NEW HEBRIDES.

BRITISH RIGHTS THREATENED,

PETITION BY FRENCH RESIDENTS.

(Received 9.43 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this day

Advices have been received from New Hebrides that the French residents are petitioning for the appointment of Dr. Faran. of Villa, to represent French interests in New Hebrides, with magisterial powers, and to deal with °a 11 matters relating to French subjects and conduct affairs between the French and the natives. British residents strongly oppose this arrangement which they consider an underhand move to obtain French government of the Islands.

(Received 9.32 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day. Mr Barton received a letter from the French Consul-General stating that his remarks, as published in a Sydney journal, with reference to New Hebrides, were not accurately reported ou the points specially noted. He was confident Mr Barton would recognise that he would not confuse private ownership of land with territorial rights. The conversation quoted was unofficial, and his persona] views were a private matter. In the alleged interview he confined himself generally to admitted facts and did not refer to matters of controversy.

(Received 9.43 a.m.)

The "Argus," dealing with the French Cofrsul-General's recent statements with reference to New Hebrides, says they clearly indicate the urgency of federal action. There is no further excuse for the feeble fluctuating policy pursned in the past and every need of exercising strict vigilance in order to prevent. .Commonwealth rights being jumped. Until the policy of drift has ceased it is merely throwing dust over our eyes to talk of exchanging New Hebrides for some French advantage in Nigeria or elsewhere.