The Recidivistes Question.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1517, 5 January 1887, Page 2

The Recidivistes Question.

(reutkr.) MELBOURNE, January 4. The mail, under date London 28th November, brings details of Sir Graham Berry's despatch to the Under-Secretary for the Colonies regarding the recidivistes question and acknowing copy of JJorrts Lyon's despatch. Sir Graham requests that the Under-Secretary will convey to Jlr. Stanhope his deep regret that France will persist in a course detrimental to the colonies and notwithstanding concurrence of opinion of England and the colonies tbat the transportation of criminals to the neighborhood of Australasia is unfriendly and unjustifiable. He contends that this view is fully justified by M. "Waddington's allusion tbat had tbe French proposal been accepted, transportation wonld have ceased, and declares that the annexation of the islmds will in nowise assist in dealing with habitual criminals. No connection, he urges, between tbe recidivistes and New Hebrides question, and the; decision of the French Government is calculated to embitter the relations between France and Australia. He proceeds to say that it is well known and admitted that without an extension of territory it is impossible to retain more convicts in New Caledonia, and consequently these sweepings from prisons will be precipitated to Australian shores, and it is evident that the Governments will be bound to take measures to defend their reputation from moral contamination otherwise inevitable. Sir Graham Berry hopes tbat the Imperial Government will induce France to reconsider its decision, and come to a determination to refrain from a course calculated to deeply offend and irritate friendly Powers. Earl Iddesleigh wrote to the chairman of tbe French Budget Committee, enclosing a copy of Berry's despatch.