NEW HEBRIDES AND THE PROPOSED CESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7646, 25 May 1886, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES AND THE PROPOSED CESSION.

A mbeting of representatives of various religious bodies, to consider the question of the proposed cession of the New Hebrides Islands to France, was held yesterday morning, there being present: The Revs. R. Bavin (in the chair), R. Sommerville (secretary), J. Robertson, Jones, Worboys, Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, C; M. Nelson, J. S. Hill, H. Bull, D. W. Kunciman, and Carr, Messrs. King, Graves Aickin (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), F. Bennett, McPherson (Presbyterian city missionary), Colonel Haultain, aud Captain Daldy. The chairman, in opening the proceedings, explained that this combined meeting bad been called in consequence of the notion of various religious bodies in takiug means to express their sympathy in the efforts of the Presbyterian Church to prevent the ccssion of the New Hebrides Islands to France. He called upon Archdeaoon Dudley, who explained how the deputation from the Church of England had been appointed as previously reported in the Herald. Colonel Haultain said the Bishop, whose name had been included in the deputation, sent word expressing his regret that he could not attend that day. The Rev. Mr. Runciman said that his communication with the Bishop had been through two laymen, with whom he bad conversed on the matter. With regard to the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church to their movement, he said a gentleman of that body had signed the petition directly ha had brought the subject under his notice. A telegram which appeared in the papers that morning had made it appear that it was not necessary for them to take the matter- , into further consideration, but as he had taken somb( trouble in examining and considering the matter, he believed that whatever settlement was come to at the present time the question was sure to crop up again. An Englishman, whose name he forgot, had much to do with the present trouble. He induced a number of Englishmen to go with him from New South Wales some years ago and purchased a good deal of land, which was let in 63-acre lots, and it was in order to get a title to this million and a-quartor of acres that they had been pressing on the Government with all their weight to depart from the agreement made with Lord Derby a few years ago. He suggested that that meeting should appoint a small committee to watch the course of affairs, and tako such action as they might deem to be necessary. In the course of a discussion which ensued, Mr. Graves Aickin said it should be understood that one great cause of their opposition to the annexation was that it had always been the policy of the French Government to deport their criminals to the islands they annexed. It had been so in Now Caledonia, and he did not doubt would be in the New Hebrides. If the Government permitted such a course to be taken they would simply undo all the good that had been done by missionary efforts in these islands. The criminal ofscourinijs of Paris would be sent to mix up with the Christian community in Norfolk Island and other parts. He made suggestions, which were subsequently embodiedin a resolution, and the following were unanimously agreed to: —On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Robertson, seconded by Col. Haultain, " That this meeting, representative of various denominations of Christians, expresses its hearty sympathy with the Presbyterian Churches in their efforts to prevent the annexation of tho New Hebrides by France, and pledges itself to help in every possible way to secure this desirable object." On the motion of Mr. Graves Aickin, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Bull, " That this meeting pledges itself to use every effort to get the petition now circulating as largely signed as possible by tho citizens of Auckland," It was resolved on the motion of tho Rev. Mr. Runciman, seconded by Mr. Aickin, "That the following committee be appointed to watch over the subject, and to take such steps as they might consider necessary : The Revs. Archdeacon Dudley, Bavin, Robertson, Sommerville, and Messrs. Upton, R. Arthur, Peacock, Buchanan, Captain Daldy, and Colonel Haultain (convener). It was also resolved, on the motion of Captain Daldy, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Worboys, "That telegrams giving information as to the proceedings taking place in Auckland in reference to this subject be sent to Mr. Stout, Mr. Peacock, and to Sir George Grey, and that the last-named gentleman should be requested to give his support to their movement." Tho meeting concluded with the benediction from Archdeacon Dudley, and a committee then took into consideration the best means of procuring signatures to the petition.