NEW HEBRIDES

Evening Star, Issue 18331, 19 July 1923, Page 6

NEW HEBRIDES

OOriDOMIHIUM CONFIRMED.

DIVISION MAY COME LATER

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association.

MELBOURNE, July 19.

(Received July 39, at 8.45 a.m.)

In the House of Representatives the Prime Minister tabled the amended New Hebrides Convention, which was ratified by the French and British Governments last year. Tiro condominium system, which was established under the 1906 Convention, is retained, but it is amended in certain directions which will make for a clearer distinction in the jurisdiction and administration of the two Powers.

The report covering the convention states that since ratification the provisions which come under British control have been brought into operation. The French authorities, however, have been inactive, thus causing delay in matters affecting tho joint, administration; therefore none of the now proposals affecting joint control havo been given effect to. Tho report further states that no proposal for a division of tlie islands has been discussed by the two Powers. While a division would' undoubtedly solve many of the difficulties in administration, it would also create fresh difficulties of a serious character. It is possible that this division may ultimately he found tho best, and even tho only, solution of the difficulty. fin 1905 a convention was signed under which the administration of tho New Hebrides Group wgs assumed by Great Britain and Franco. British and French Resident Commissioners were appointed in 1902. The native population is about 58,700, and tho Europeans numbir 946.]