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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7646, 25 May 1886, Page 4

The meeting of representatives of the various Churches held yesterday morning, to consider the proposed cession of the New Hebrides to France, shows how firmly that question has laid hold upon the religious sympathy of the public. Slowly but snrely the people of all the Australasian colonies have been making up their' mind that on religious as well as political grounds the proposals of France with regard to this matter could not bo entertained. But, as was becoming, the attention of yesterday's meeting was mainly confined to the religious aspect of the question. The same course substantially was pursued as thttt adopted last week by the Presbytery of Auckland, and subsequently at the meeting of the clergy and laity of the Church of England. Resolutions were passed strongly deprecating the interference with tho- missions so long conducted in these islands, which would inevitably result from their annexation by France, and urging on the colonial authorities, and through them on tho Imperial Government, the necessity ot taking measures to prevent such a disaster. The better to give effect to their views and aims a committee ! was appointed to secure that the petitions on the subject prepared for presentation to the two. Houses of Parliament should be largely signed by the community, and to take what other steps they might consider necessary for the gaining of the purpose contemplated. The intention was, we believe, to have called a public meeting to give an opportunity to the citizens of expressing their interest in this question ; but, in consideration of the telegram of this morning, stating that Her Majesty's Government had definitely replied to France that the status quo must be maintained, this was wisely postponed. At tho same time, until official communication has been received, tho New Zealand Government confirming this information by the meeting acted very judiciously in resolving in all other respects to go forward with their plans. It is certainly very gratifying to see all the religious bodies acting so cordially in this matter, and strengthening the claim of those who have done so much for the moral benefit of these islands to be saved from all risk of having their work destroyed. Such co-operation is

every way creditable to them, and, besides tending to bring them more closely together, renders their influence more effective for moulding the counsels of the legislative and administrative authorities on the occasion of any crisis such as that which has arisen in cnrnvcHnn with the history of the New liowiuta . " Hilda. _________