THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12540, 29 June 1901, Page 8

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

MR BARTON AND THE FRENCH CONSUL-GENERAL.

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER COMMENT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE,,June 28. Mr Barton has received, a letter from the French Consul-General stating that’ his remarks, which were published in a Sydney journal, with reference to the New Hebrides, were nob accurately reported on the points specially noted. Ho expresses himself confident that Mr Barton v will recognise that he Would not confuse private ownership of laud with territorial rights. The conversation was unofficial. His personal views were a private matter, and in the alleged interview he confined himself generally to admitted facts, and did not refer to matters of controversy. (Received June 28, 9.43 a.m.) The “ Argus ” dealing with the French Cbneul-General’s recent statements with reference to the New Hebrides says : —“They clearly indicate the urgency of Federal action. There is no further excuse for the feeble, fluctuating policy pursued in the past, and every need for exercising a strict vigilance in order to prevent the rights of the Commonwealth being jumped. Until this policy of drift ceased we were merely throwing dust over our eyes by talk of exchanging the New Hebrides'■ for . some French advantage, Nigeria, or elsewhere.” A’FRENCH PETITION. OBJECTIONS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENTS. • SYDNEY, June 28. Advices from the New Hebrides are to the effect that the French residents there are petitioning for the appointment of Dr Parran, of Vila, to represent French interests in the New Hebrides, with magisterial powers to deal with all matters relating to French subjects and the conduct of- affairs between the French and the natives. , The British residents strongly oppose this arrangement, and consider it an underhand move to obtain French government of the islands.