NEW HEBRIDES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8613, 26 December 1913, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES

FRENCHMEN INDIGNANT PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES PILLORIED. By lV.,sraph— Preas Aoaoclatlon—Copyright (Received December 21, 10.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 24. The French community in Sydney is indignant at the charges levelled against the French in connection with the condominium in the Now Hebrides. A prominent member, in an interview, declared that it was only the Presbyterian missionaries who tried to pick a quarrel. Tho British Resident Commissioner had not recorded any broach of justice in connection with the mixed Court, nor had any British settlor. On the contrary, the British settlers had petitioned to bo put under tiro so-called abominable French rule. The Presbyterians presented their cause as an Australian one, thinking that by flattering tlio aspirations of Australia they would foster their own interests. The French missions had done, .and were still doing, far better work than the Presbyterians in evangelising tjid natives, “but 1 am positive that they do not do as well in dealing in copra and other merchandise or in selling Bibles.” “ANXIETY IN AUSTRALIA.” MESSAGE TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT. MELBOURNE, December 24. A cable message has been dispatched to London by the Minister for External Affairs informing the British Government that there is great interest and anxiety in Australia regarding the control and adininistration/of affairs in the New Hebrides. It is suggested the message was dispatched to England for the purpose of placing the Australian view before the Imperial authorities. [The Rev. Mr Gillon, a missionary from the New Hebrides, who returned to Sydney this week, made strong charges of maladministration and maltreatment of natives by the French under the condominium system. He declares that it Englishmen did anything half as bad as some of the things the French do they would be severely punished. The French can do as they like. A condition of things next door to slavery prevails amongst the French. They buy and sell natives like cattle. It could not be worse if Great Britain had no say at all.]