THE NEW HEBRIDES. MR DEAKIN'S REPLY TO A DE PUTATION.

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1906, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES. MR DEAKIN'S REPLY TO A DE PUTATION.

\ MELBOURNE, Nov. 28. Mr Deakin, in replying to the Presbyterian Mission deputation yesterday spoke in a similar strain- to that in which he . answered .- the deputation from the Australian Natives Association. '~~ • *■ J The Federal Premier said he thought the suggestion about the Govern-or-General worthy to be submitted; to 'the British Government. In regard to t'^e ticket of leave men, that also was an important matter, and one that the late Mr Seddon and himself had not thought of. Mr Deakin read a passage from the report by the High Com missioner of the Western Pacific on thej New Hebrides, in which, after paying j a tribute to the work of the mission- j ariesi, the Commissioner s.aid : "These Presbyterians have been so long estab • lished in the Islands, unchanged by anything representing lay Government that they may to some extent feel them selves the ruling power in the Islands, and they are . inclined, more or less, to resent not merely authority, but even the existence of lay government. They especially resent the gradual growth of French influence, and were.it not for the. hope of combatting this, some of them at least, would, I believe, endeavor to ignore the English Government's authority." Dr McDonald inferred that it was the Commissioner' sole visit to the group, and he entirely failed to grasp the real position of affairs, which emphasises the necessity for the Gover-nor-General occupying the post. Mr Deakin said thai so far from show ing, resentment, the missionaries had shown a disposition to assist the- Government in- every possible way. : !"Our experience,'' added the Federal Premier, "has been entirely opposite to the curious qualifications™ which,, on his slight experience, Sir E. M. Thurn bas (thought necessary to insert in his report "