NEW HEBRIDES

Evening Star, Issue 19774, 26 January 1928, Page 15

NEW HEBRIDES

LOST OPPORTUNITIES AUSTRALIAN APATHY The New Hebrides represent a link in the chain of islands stretching from New Guinea to New Zealand. The entire archipelago forms Australia s first line of defence. The is somewhat analogous to that which confronted the United States at the tune 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 New Hebrides has been frequetly made. As lately as 19-1 the French New 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 long-standing 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 the entire situation and removed the idea of purchase from tho sphere of practical [politics. For want of labor, French as well as 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 introd icing laborers from the colony of Tonkin. Tho 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 tre flow gradually increased until now 500 new recruits arrive in the New Hebrides every year from Asia. As the indigenous natives decrease in numbers th© 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 expensive. The vacant lands offered to Australia for sale are now being filled with French colonists, r.nd 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, nnprogressive town_ it ; has developed into a busy' port, with a trade large enough to attract the l large ocean liners of the Messageries I Maritime?. Formerly the population was | fairly well balanced between French I and English, but in recent years British 1 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, Fhilp, and Co., whose diminutive store is overshadowed by the large French establishments. The only other British subjects are the Condominium officials. No blame can bo attached to _ the British colonists for the existing situation. From the outset they have fought a losing battle. With the Governments of England and Australia either apathetic or hostile, there could bo 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 sections have worked together to ensure French supremacy. The missions have always boon strong bulwarks for the maintenance of British interests, but as the native population declines their numbers are also declining. Spine mission committees are frankly tired of tho 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 have no longer any thoughts of either purchase or exchange or partition. The French are in he New Hebrides to stay. Even were Franco 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 , --tralia a legacy which may prove to be a fruitful source of irritation and ’-mble in the future.