NEW HEBRIDES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 12, 16 January 1928, Page 3

NEW HEBRIDES

LOST OPPORTUNITIES AUSTRALIAN APATHY : The New Hebrides represent a link ia the chain of islands stretching from New Guinea to Kew Zealand. The entire archipelago forms Australia's first line of : defence. The situation is somewhat analogous to that which confronted the United States at the time of the Spanish-America War when she felt it necessary, in the interests of defence, to obtain possession of the islands contiguous' to her coasts, writes Maurice Frater in the Melbourne "Argus." The proposal to buy out the French in the Kew Hebrides has been frequently made. As lately as 1921 the French lVew Hebrides Company, in financial difficulties, offered to sell to the Australian Government all its lands and concessions for £500,000. A rare opportunity was presented to Australia of adjusting her defence borders and of bringing a longstanding international dispute to an end, but Mr. W. M. Hughes regarded the offer as a doubtful proposition and rejected it. In the year following the French company's offer France embarked on a new venture which changed th*e entire situation and removed toe idea of purchase from the sphere' of practical politics. For want of labour, French as well ea British colonisation was languishing and the 'nationals of both countries entreated their Governments for an indentured supply from abroad. To prevent financial disaster the French took the initiative by introducing labourers from the colony of Tonkin. The Asiatics not only saved the situation but proved to be the harbinger of a new era, enabling the French to establish and consolidate their interests. Beginning in tiny driblets the flow gradually, increased until now 500 new recruits arrive in the New Hebrides every year from Asia. As the indigenous natives, decrease in numbers the foreigners are steadily increasing and populating the' islands with new stock. So well manned are the' French estates that the planters can now afford to disregard the local supply, which at best .was both spasmodic and expentivc. The vacant lands offered to Australia for sale are now being filled with .French: colonists, and the bush is giving place to cotton fields. A new lease of life has been given to French occupation. • So far from the group heading for financial disaster the signs, all point in the opposite direction. Both men and money are pouring into the group, making French trade and influence unquestionably supreme/ The paramount position of France is recognised by the tourist as soon as he sets foot in Vila, the capital. From being a sleepy,, unprogressive town it has developed into a busy port, with a trade large enough to attract the large ocean liners of the Messageries Maritimes. Formerly the population wag fairly well balanced between French and English,, but in recent years British traders have been gradually squeezed out or bought out until now it is almost wholly a French community. There is only one British business house in the town, that of Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Co., whose diminutive store is overshadowed by the large French establishments. The only other British subject* are the Condominium officials. No blame can be attached to the British colonists for the existing situation. From the outset they have fought a losing battle. With the Governments bi England and Australia either apathetic or hostile, there could be only one 'issue to the struggle. So far from bearing any grudge against their French rivals, the British admire the systematic way in which all section* have worked together to ensure French supremacy. The missions have always been! strong bulwarks for the maintenance of British interests, but as the native population declines their numbers are also declining- Some mission committees are franklyl tired of the hopeless and interminable struggle against French abuses and irregularities. ;The mission to-day is only a shadow of its former self. Under such changed conditions, it is not surprising that the French nave no longer any thoughts of either purchase or "exchange or partition. The French are in the New Hebrides to stay. Even were France prepared to sell, the price would no longer be in terms of £500,000. A sum would be demanded which Australia could not afford to pay. By refusing a reasonable offer Mr. Hughes bequeathed to the people of Australia a legacy -which may prove to be a fruitful nource of irritation and trouble in the future.