THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LII, Issue 9231, 29 November 1906, Page 8

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

fPEESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received November 29, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 29. Mt Deakin read passages from the jneport of the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific on the New Hebrides, in

which, after paying a tribute to the work

ot the missionaries, the Commissioner said these Presbyterian -missionaries hadi been so long established in the islands unchecked by anything representing lay government that they may to some extent feel themselves tihe ruling power of the islands, and they aTe inclined more or less to Tesent not meTely the autho v rity but eiven the existence of a lay government. They especially resent the gradual growth of French influence, and were it not for the hope of combating this some at least of them would, I believe, endeavor to ignore the English Government authority. jJi Mac Donald said, interrupting, that it was tihe CommissioneT'6 sole visit, and he entirely failed to grasp the Teal'position of affairs which emphasises that the Governor-General should fill the post. Mr Deakin said that so far from showing resentment the missionaries had shown, a disposition to assist the Government in eveTy possible way. Our experience has been entirely opposite to the curious qualification, which on his slight experience the Commissioner had thought it- necessary to insert in his report. Commander Doyley .had expressed his cordial acknowledgment

of the work of the missionaries. The High

Commissioner had reflected aLso on the naval authorities, and he also dealt with the Australian Government.