NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15650, 2 July 1914, Page 7

NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL

UNSATISFACTORY STATE. THE FUTURE UNCERTAIN. MAKING HASTE SLOWLY. Bv Telegraph— Association— Copyright London, June 30. The: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey,' speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, said that the situation was- in no wiso satisfactory under the condominium ill the New Hebrides, but he deprecated the publication of reports on one side, as\hey were calculated to cause bickering and friction between the two Governments. Whether or not the present conference would . achieve things of vital importance he could not say. He wanted to get within sight of an agreement on something really worth having. I'ikli)' tho Anglo-French Convention of November 16, 1887, and the .Agreement of Juno"26, 1888, the New Hebrides were, for the protection of life and property, placed under a joint commission of French and English naval officers on Pacific stations. Under tho Angio-French Agreement of April 8, 1904, and the convention signed October 20, lyo6, the subjects of the two Powers enjoy equal rights of residence, personal protection, ana trade, each Power retaining jurisdiction over its 'subjects or citizens, and neither exercising a separate 1 control over the group. As to citizens of other Powers, they must choose within six months between the legal systems of the two Powers, failing which tlio two High Commissioners decide under which system they should be placed. The two Powers undertook not to erect fortifications or establish .penal settlements in the group. The two High Commissioners aro appointed by tho British and French Governments, and each is assisted by a Resident Commissioner. A police force sufficient to protect life and property is provided in two divisions of equal strength, each under one of the two Besident Commissioners. Vila, in the island of Efato, is the seat of government. Various public services—the post and telegraph, public works, public health, ports tind harbours— undertaken in common, a Joint Court is established, and regulations are made as to land suits, land grants and sales, and the recruitment of native labourers, etc. The sale of arms, ammunition, and intoxicating liquors to natives is forbidden*