NEW HEBRIDES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3598, 2 April 1924, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES.

GRAVE .ALLEGATIONS AGAINSfc FRENCH FOREIGN MISSION’S APPEAL* FOR CHANGE [By Electric Cable —Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] MELBOURNE, April 1. A deputation from the Foreign Mlsisons Committee of the Presbyterian Church waited on Mr Bruce, Federal Prime Minister, regarding the necessity for a change in the administration of the New Hebrides. Speakers condemned the way native labour was alleged to be exploited under the Condominium, and said that after careful examination of the conditions said to be existing In the New Hebrides, they found the position of women on the French plantations was becoming intolerable. They were illegally recruited, and illegally kept beyond their time, and were used to decoy men to recruit. They were married or divorced at the will of the planters, or were given over to the promiscuous use of the men. Apparently the deliberate policy of the French in the New Hebrides appeared to be the extinction of the natives with a view to the substitution of foreign indentured labour from the French possessions. It was conteded that the Condominium had failed ’ to maintain law and order In the group, to protect the natives from oppression, or to settle a single land dispute. This was due to the fact that Prance had failed to carry out its part of the joint convention. The deputation contended that if the rapid acquisition of the whole group by the French was not wanted to be accomplished, the Condominium must b«i terminated immediately. It suggested the establishment of sole British control and failing this, the partition of the group in order that at least half the New Hebrides should be under British control.

Mr Bruce, In reply, said the matter had been considered at the Imperial Conference, but as negotiations were proceeding with France for changes In the administration of the islands it was impossible for him at present to make a definite statement on the position.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE. CONDOMINIUM UNSATISFACTORY (Received Wednesday 2 a,m.) MELBOURNE, April 1. In the House of Representatives, Mr Bruce, in reply to a question, said the Condominium Government of the New Hebrides was raised at the Imperial Conference. It was realised the system was unsatisfactory and negotiations had been entered into with Franco, but no announcement could yet be made. The debate on Mr Bruce’s Imperial Conference resolutions was resumed.