FRANCE AND THE NEW H.P BRIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8036, 25 August 1887, Page 5

FRANCE AND THE NEW H.P BRIDES.

VIEWB OF THE PRESS. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. * Irkutsk's telegram.] Paris, August 23.The Republique Frangaise, in aa article on the New Hebrides question* says an agreement, may be easily arrived at if England will put a stop td the absurd Australian calumnies and rhodomontades. England and Germany had divided New Guinea, and therefore the former could not oppose the annexation of the New Hebrides! by France, although she would ba entitled to guarantees against the transportation of convicts.

[press association.] London, August 23. The discussion on the New Hebrides! question was resumed to-day in tha House of Commons. Mr. Bryce complained that France was evading a settlement of the question, in the hope that England would agree to offer a concession elsewhere in the Pacific in order to secure the evacuation of tha New Hebrides. Sir James Fergusson said that England was bound to recognise the desira for expansion on the part of the powerful nations, and had no right to object to the French colonisation of the New Hebrides, though the military occupation was regarded with fear and doubt. He repeated the statement, made by Lord Salisbury in the House of Lords on the Ist instant as to the position of affairs, and stated the Go- V vernment continued to urge France to arrive at a settlement. That country* he added, had given proof of friendship, which, he trusted, would long continue, despite the natural .and past! rivalries.