THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 36, 11 August 1905, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. REPRESENTATIONS TO BRITAIN. [press association.! MELBOURNE, 10th August. In the House of Representatives to-day Mr. Johnson moved the following motion : — That in view of the certainty of enormous trade development along the Pacific route to. the East when the Panaman Canal is opened, the question of the control of islands suitable for use as naval bases between Australia and Panama is of the' highest importance to British and Australian commercial interests; that the strategical position of the New Hebrides, with the 'exceptional harbour facilities there, renders it imperative, in the interest of British and Australian commerce, that their control shall not pass into the hands of a foreign naval Power; for these reasons it is desirable to provide every reasonable facility for the promotion, of British and Australian settlement in the New Hebrides. In speaking to his motion, Mr. Johnson urged the necessity of Australia doing something to counteract French influence in tho New Hebrides, which was now all directed towards ffanexation. Mr. J. W. M'Cay (late Minister of Defence) said it was lamentable that Britain was alone among the nations in seeming to tliink it was not her constant duty to watch the interests of her posses^ ©ions in the Pacific. The British Government appeared unable to recognise the importance of the matter, and the serious consequences to Australia if the islands were absorbed by foreign nations. Australia had serious ground for complaint, and it was time she spoke out definitely and emphatically to the Imperial Government. Several other speakers similarly considered that the time for diplomatic representations had passed. Mr. Dugald Thompson (late Minister of Home Affairs) considered the motion should be in a more definite form. He moved : — That representations already made by the Commonwealth Government to the British Government should, in tho interest^ of natives and settlers at the New Hebrides and of Australia, be renewed and strengthened; that the immediate establishment of joint Land Commission is imperative, so constituted that its decision would be just, prompt, and effective; tliat the delay which has occurred is deeply regretted, and no settlement will be satisfactory to the Commonwealth which does not decide the possession of the New Hebrides ; further, that the only ownership acceptable to Australia is that of Britain, which is justified by history, the development of trade with the islands, and the wishes of the native population. Mr. Johnson accepted Mr. Thompson's motion in place of. his own. Mr. Deakiu said the Government was in entire and hearty sympathy with the motion. Australian interests were necessarily strongly directed towards securing tho islands, so as to prevent them being used as hostile bases. Nothing had been done since the Anglo-French agreement was signed. He would include the motion with a despatch which he was sending to the Imperial Government containing a report of a deputation M'hich recently waited upon him. Tho motion was carried on the voices.