THE NEW HEBRIDES: WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 11

THE NEW HEBRIDES: WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

10 TE2 SDrTCZ 0? "?S3 ?2X22.' Sir. —Cbnld I, through your columns, ask those who are interested in New Zealand's foreign policy, and particularly the Presbyterian Church of NewZealand,''to 'study the reply given by Mr Massey to the deputation which' waited on him with regard to the \ew Hebrides?

[ take it' that- wo are ■ all sincerely anxious that a better state of affairs should be brought about in that group than esista under- the Condominium. It is not' only a reproach to both Britain and Franco, but it is » potential cause of-trouble between the too nations, just as Samoa was a potential cause of trouble, from 1873 'to the outbreak of .the war. From either point of view we ought to "eta settlement, while relations between the two nations' are pood. New Zealand's interest in the New Hebrides is not a territorial one or an economic one. It is ■• something hiehe»- than either—a' moral interest. The Presbvtcrian Church of New Zealand lias done work in- the mission field that entitles New Zealand to be heard in any conference on • the future of the srroup. Whpt we wnni now is to bo heard "effectiVelv; and the only wa'v to be heard effectively and to contribute' something useful to the di«cus«ion is to a course which will • leadto a' practical : settlement.

Mr Massey, I submit," indicated to the .deputation the only .course that is practical. T have been- ware for vears, from discussions with French ' people, and i «with British officials, thnt there is no'chance whatever'of France ret'iri'iE'' Pom' the Hebrides. ■ And whv should die? We believe th*t her rule'there is not for tbo <*ood of the natives, but natur.allv does not think so. \nd she is entitled, to her opinion. Moreover, she • has rights there wltHt arc aheolutelv equal with Bnt'i'sh riehts. That "was acknowledged d ; olomnticallv nearly 50 years aco., and at various times since. We e*»pt>ot. therefore, expect France to withdra/%. Moreover. she requires portion- at least of. the .New Hebrides to oohnjlet© her possession in New Caledonia. 'Tiet 'us, thep. abandon as impracti^nblej—as undoubtedly it is—the Franco.will consent to leave the, S'ew Hebrides to. us. The ohly thing to 'do is to look for something that is practicable, and' that will -at any rate'improve the condition, of the group and, above all,' Make each nation responsible for its own jurisdiction. '' If'public opinion in New Zealand will only] accept Mr Massey's suggestion, and. support him in asking for a definite partition of the islands,, we shall he on much better ground • and there will he a - reasonable hope of- getting somethirig dqne. No doubt it will bo galling 'to think of. abandoning, some islands in-which '.. our!'. 'Presbyterian Church has done such pood ,work; but if- by so doing we are going to improve tho' position in others, -to make France clireotly ;responsible fori the, stele of affairs* in her own islands and to remove a cause of'friction between tho two" nations, .theu we shall surely ho makihe a,forward.move,'. In "suggesting that .public opinion should, accept this solution, I am .. conscious, that li.am appealing primarily to tho Presbyterian . Church ■ of. New Zealand. »I am convinced that it is the' only practical solution,, and that if adopted it will greatly improve the.', condition of the 'natives of the New. Hebrides.. —Yours, .'etp.. GUY H. SOHOLEFIELD. •Mastertou, August ,9th: