The New Hebrides

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 128, 17 May 1923, Page 5

The New Hebrides

CONDOMINIUM DENOUNCED. COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE FRENCH. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY DISCUSSION. (,'ahle —Pre** Aaaoolatioa.—4J<wyrlgbft.> (Received 17, 11.5 a.m.) Sydney, May 17. The Presbyterian Assembly passed a resolution oi protest against grave scandals in tho New Hebrides under the condominium and decided to impress on the Commonwealth Government that the only real solution is that the group should pass under the British Crown. The Rev. R. McGowan said that while the British were observing their part of rhe agreement, there had been constant disregard of the terms of the commission by the French. Fie contended |hat three solutions were: (1) Patching up .the agreement, but dual control was always unsatisfactory; (2) France would obtain control, but in view of the boil treatment by the French under joint control, what could be expected under sole control? (3) Control by the British, which was desired by the natives, and to which the British were Entitled in view of the war services rendered to France, and also on account of the missionary work accomplished there.

The Rev. D. Paterson, for 21 years a missionary in the New Hebrides, said there were 6000 Japanese in New Caledonia, and also some in tho New Hebrides. He added that the drink traffic was responsible for a decrease in the native population. Dr. Gunn, a former missionary, said the French would not allow the British to recruit labour for Fiji, but they recruited them for themselves for Noumea. Bad as the condominium was it was preferable to French control.