NEW HEBRIDES AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES AFFAIRS

SEEIOBS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE FRENCH.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, December 23.

Tho Rev. Mr Watts, a missionary'-of the Presbyterian, Church of New Zealand, who has retired from active work, has arrived here from the New Hebrides. In an interview Mr Watts stated that the French warship ICersaint recently, as she often did, carried away many native women without the consent of their husbands or parents. It was,a common practice. Apparently the French authorities in the islands were indifferent about the matter, although appeals were made by the British Resident. Mr Watts added that practically everybody said that the selling of women and the supply of grog and ammunition to the natives went on unchecked by, the French, and that it is far worse than before the establishment of the Condominium. The French, however,, never interfered with the missionaries personally.' The missionaries, said Mr Warts, were greatly disappointed with tho Condominium. While the law was enforced upon British subjects there was practically no control over the French, In some cases fines were imposed, but they were subsequently remitted.