ISLAND NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 66

ISLAND NEWS.

TROUBLE WITH A FRENCH TRADING COMPANY.

SYDNEY, January 21.

letter received from the. Rev H. Forlong. a New Zealander, who is labouring as a missionary in Malekula, states that the French claim the whole of South Malekula and the small islands on that coast, including the island where Mr Forlong had settled. Two agents of the French Trading Company ordered Mr Forlong to leave, which he declined to do. . Later on, during his absence, the agents returned with twelve armed natives, broke open his hut, and-removed much of Mr Forlong’s' effects. They left a warning that if he had not cleared out before Bth January they would come! back and kick tip a row. Mr Forlong’s letter records death as the result of fever of Mrs McKenzie, formerly of Dunedin, and stationed until her husband at Malekula. A deputation from the New Hebrides Mission Syhod waited on the Hon E. Barton, as Minister for External Affairs, and made a statement of their case. Mr Reid accused the French of mal- . administration with reference to iand dealing with the natives . _ „ The Rev Mr Baton declared that ir •French claims were admitted, a large part of the Hebrides already belonged The R«v Mr Small declared that Captain Rich, of H.M.S. Ringarooma. as chairman of the Mixed Commission, had done all in his power to depress and retard British interests in the Islands. The deputation wished the appointment of some authority to investigate the : land claims. A Joint Commission could hot govern the Islands.. What was wanted was annexation by Britain. Mr Barton, in reply, promised to give very serious consideration to the “datements made. He considered it would-be his. duty to make representation to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.