NEW HEBRIDES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 9

NEW HEBRIDES

EVILS OF DUAL CONTROL

A PRESBYTERIAN PROTEST

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Seceived 14th May, noon.)

SYDNEY, This Day. The report of the Fortign Missions Committee, presented to the Presbyterian General Assembly, states'that the ovil effects of dual control in the New Hebrides are on the increase, and there is a danger that Britain may lose her hold on these "pearls of the South Soas." If France obtains full control, over all or a portion of these islands there will arise the danger or repetition of what happened in the Loyalty Islands, namely the Protestant missionary societies, after all their long yoars of service to their credit, being forced to withdraw.

Dr. Gunn: "We long tried to get the New Hebrides under British control, but we have failed owing to the difficulty of obtaining labour inside, and labour has to be introduced from outside. The French have brought in hundreds and thousands of Tonganese, and they say to British traders: If you will become French subjects we will give you as much labour as you require.' Owing to this labour difficulty British traders havo told the British Commissioner that unless they get labour from the outside world they will become French subjects." ;