NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 55, 5 March 1914, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL.

A CONFERENCE WITH FRANCE., j BUYING OUT FRENCH j INTERESTS. j (By Cabic-Tress Association.—Copyright.) ! (Received 10.10 aju.) LONDON, March 4. 3lr J. D. Acland (Parliamentary Under Secretary for Forcigu Affairs} I informed Mr Joynson Hicks that pour- j parlors have been opened- with France j towards a Conference to discuss details i regarding the Xew Hebrides. | Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke (Unionist M.P. for Devonport) asked Sir K. Grey (Foreign Secretary) to inquire whether or not Australia would accept the responsi- ! bility for the administration of the New I Hebrides. Sir Edward said it was impossible to | make the suggestion without asking whether they would themselves undertake to purchase or make an exchange of j territory. \ AUSTRALIA READY TO BUY.! NEW ZEALAND'S ASSISTANCE. I (Received 10 a.m.) SIDNEY, this day. Representations have been made to Mr ! W. F. Massey (Premier of New Zealand) by the Presbyterian Mission Roard of Australia, asking the Dominion to use its j influence in supporting the protest to Mr, L. A". Hai-court (Secretary of State for: the Colonies) regarding tlie New I Hebrides. , " j

Referring to the cabled suggestion that Australia should acquire French rights in the New Hebrides by purchase, Mr P. M. l.'lynn (Secretary "for External Affairs) said that the Commonwealth was prepared to meet any opportunity of settling the question ou lines honourable to tlie (wo nations concerned, whether it involved pecuniary or other methods of adjustment.