DISSATISFACTION IN AUSTRALIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 306, 15 November 1906, Page 2

DISSATISFACTION IN AUSTRALIA.

AI F LBO I'R XE, Wednesday. A deputution 'representing the directors of the (Natives Association waited on Mr -Deakin with reference to the New Hebrides Convention. The deputation presented a resolution carried bv the directors expressing regret Itfoat the wishes of >Mr Deakin and of Mr Seddon lind not been further embodied in the Convent'ion, and strongly urged Mr Deakin to have tho matter re-opened. The President of tho Board of Directors said the Islands were of far more importance to Australia than thev could possibly be to any other nation. !• rom a commercial point of view they wvro of little use lo France, but that Power appeared to regard them as useful for coaling purposes. The question tho deputation particularly, wished to ask was, did the Prime Minister consider that Australian interests wero beintr sufficiently safeguarded? If ho d'id, t-hey were prepared to let the matter rest at that. If not. a resolution was- ready to make tho matter a live public question, and New Zealand would be asked to cooperate in having terms made more favourable to Australia. Mr Deakin, in replying to the question whether tho Government was satisfied, ?said - he certainly could say emphatically that it was not It objected in the first place to the Convention, as it provided carelully for French interests and '• 0n 1 < a h , ex P al *-sion. and was not so mindful of British or Australian interests. While Mr Seddon and himselt were negotiating with the Home authorities circumstances arose which rendered an immediate declaration of dual control necessary This unfortunately implied acceptance of the draft Convent/ion as far as it went. M The .£ rei : i ' tl<?nt : Is il true that the attitude ot a third Power ren-sa-v? th ' S hurried a ct 'on necesMr Deakin said that Home influence of a kind was at work. On receipt of fuller correspondence on the subject, it would be a duty to obtain the sanction of fhe French Kepubhe for as mamv of the desired, amendments as possible. When details arrived, he would be in a Position to say what further action was necessary in the interests of Australia and Britain. •