AUSTRALIA AND THE ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1902, Page 5

AUSTRALIA AND THE ISLANDS.

THE POSITION IN THE ' - NEW HEBRIDES.

DEPUTATION TO MR BARTON.

PIftESS COMMENT.

£By_ Cable. — Press Association.— }

(Copyright.)

SYDNEY, Sunday.

A deputation from the Chamber1 oi Commerce) waited on Mr Barton to ask consideration for Australian trade in the New Hebrides. The speakers referred to the dangerious competition of the French in New Caledonia, and pressed for the appointment of a British resident. They also asked for better facilities for the employment of native labour. Mr Barton, in reply, said he expected a resident would be appointed immediately. He did not favour a Customs agreement with the New Hebrides, but was anxious to increase British, influence by all legitimate means. .

(Eeceived 10.5 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this day,

"'The Herald," commenting- on the N<ew Hebrides deputation, says it is the destiny of the Commonwealth to be the predominating influence under the Crown in these seas. la carrying out this-will be found the surest way of removing anomalies which burden bur trade with these •islands. ,

The "Daily Telegraph" says that if 'the New Hebrides' trade goes on concentrating in New Caledonia in consequence of Australia's exclusive tariff the French niay build up such large interests there as to entitle •them to political control on the principle .of fair representation which we went to war to enforce in South Africa. .

In the case of other island communities such' as Fiji, the effect of the tariff has been to divert trade from Australia, where it should naturally come, to New Zealand. What the Australian policy potentially has to meet is the rooting out of French interest and control on one hand, and New Zealand influence aiid trade command on the other, of which possibilities the most that can be said is that the best is bad.