NEW HEBRIDES

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 December 1926, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES

LITTLE CHANCE OF CHANGE (“Sydney Sun’’ Service.) LONDON, November 30. Although the Imperial Conference discussed the New Hebrides condominium, diplomatic quarters are unable to hold out much hope for an immediate change in the long standing situation. All advances regarding the abolition of dual control will continue to come from Britain, with France not showing any particular inclination to accede to such requests. As a matter of fact, the New ’Hebrides seems in the unfortunate position of being nobody’s particular .baby. Although Australian and New Zealand have been responsible for stimulating the negotiations they have no official interest, as the New Hebrides is purely a Franco-British condominium. Nevertheless, Whitehall, is probably Jess interested’ than Australia and New Zealand. Only the latter’s, agitation caused the Colonial Office to move. Thus far, the tentative proposals for the solution have been confined to the nature of the territorial division of New Hebrides, allowing the FrancoBritish each fully to control her own portion, but France’s reply is sjimmed up: “Our interests there are too great. We are more or less satisfied with the present position.” It 'is unfortunately true that, the French interests, particularly in trade, are dominant; therefore she would have less to gain by sub-division than Britain The Imperial Conference’s discussions seem to have been devoted mort to the condemnation of the present anomaly than a practical solution. The Conference certainly did hot give condominium anything like full marks, but Whitehall knew that already; Britain regards the New Hebrides as a drop in the bucket compared with thousands of vastly more important Franco- British questions. There is certainly no intention of allowing the problem in the slightest degree to • disturb Franco-British accord. ... “Australian. and New Zealand will have to make, the pace if anything is going to be done,” said a diplomatic authority. It is always recognised that New Hebrides agitation comes from Australia and New Zealand, and theie again mainly due to missionaries’ representation. While it is recognised missionaries have been pioneers of settlement in New Hebrides, it is unfortunate that Whitehall is suspicious of their agitation, which sometimes emanates from the' religious, rather than the national viewpoint.