THE NEW HEBRIDES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4288, 22 February 1901, Page 4

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Public attention is being diverted in Australia to what may be described as the outposts of the Commonwealth. A public meeting was held at Hobart two nights ago, at which the Bcv Hr Paten, of the New Hebrides, spoke, and icsolutions were oarrieu. against further foreign aggression being permitted in the Pacific, and in favour of Great Britain acquiring the New Hebrides. It is a notorious fact that the French traders doing business in these islands have been particularly aggressive, and their unfriendliness has led to misunderstandings that have required adjustment at the hands of the authorities. Time after time the missionaries-have appealed, for help to enable them to withstand the over-bearing and insulting attitude of the French traders. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, while on a visit to Australia recently, expressed himself as astounded at the apathy that Australian statesmen were displaying towards a matter which was of the utmost import-

auce to the Commonwealth. H mini be admitted that the rcjcdinion-- o! the people of Hobart arc puuiic'.i by prevailing conditions ia tlm Now licm;cles, and by tbo apathy ol the hener.'.l Premier, who has lor Mine nine been merely ‘'considering” the question. 'i ho situation must he dueouraging to the British residents, who here t" clt on com ■ plained, without obtaining redress. Remonstrance with the Colonial Office has proved without avail. Beside the larger concerns of State, the pressing need for conserving British interests in this region of the Pacific is overlooked. While indifference marks the attitude el the British Government. French activity and aggression threaten the absorption ol the New Hebrides, whore hitherto British missionary and trading interests have been paramount. With an oyo to his ideal of an Island Federation and as. Premier of New Zealand, Hr Seddon ha - pointed out that unless action is taken promptly the situation at the New Hebrides will be unbearable. The po-itmu ol these islands' is akin to that which existed al Samoa before iciirwuiiiu hv Germany ; and we may waiv* no one morning to. lind the entire group ceded to tho FrOneh, because, we will be tchl. French trade was paramount in the group. There slum hi be joint action on the part of tho Commonwealth .mid New Zealand, in order to have these island", permanently retained nude: British influence. In New Zealand's dealing with the affairs of Rarotonga n precedent haw I been established that might very well bo followed in tho ease of the New Hebrides. Pending the Federal Parliament, having time to deal with the matter, a Commission representative of Australasia miglm bo appointed to inquire into tho .stain of affairs at the islands. Prompt r.cr’on . is necessary.' tor French aggression is I growing in force and activity