NEW HEBRIDES

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 224, 9 June 1923, Page 8

NEW HEBRIDES

DUAL CONTROL A FAILURE “SCANDAL OF THE CONDOMINIUM” Bx Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, June 8. A deputation consisting of members of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church waited on the Prime Minister to-day with reference to the New Hebrides. The Rev. G. H. Jupp said that there was divided control over the islands between the British Commissioner and a French Commissioner. The British control was very strict, but that of the French was very lax. There was one law for the British and another for the French, and the position was auite untenable. Alcohol was being supplied to natives and labour was being recruited on lines almost approaching slavery: Their feeling was that the time had come when the scandal of the condominium must be made public. Mr. Massey.: That is quite right. Mr. Jupp said that they wished Mr. Massey to keep this matter in mind for the Imperial Conference and bring it, forward if he . could possibly do so Mr. Massey said that he knew that dual control in the New Hebrides, had never been a success, but the difficulty was to find a way out. The French Government had been asked if it was willing to make an exchange by taking land of equal value from the British Empire for the New Hebrides.* but it had absolutely refused to do so. He had a friendly feeling for the French, but where territory was concerned it was almost impossible to deal with them. He would do his best to remedy matters, but he was not verv sanguine in view of what had happened in the past. Some adjustment waa necessary and the rights and interests of the natives should be protected.