THE NEW HEBRIDES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 4

THE NEW HEBRIDES

Although the evidence/ concerning prevailing conditions in the New Hebrides is more or lees conflicting, there seems to be little doubt that the situation that now exists is unsatisfactory. Indeed, the impression is growing that the. system of dual control is proving a failure, and is working out to the detriment of the British residents. A veteran missionary, the Rev. George Brown,, has an interesting article on this subject in the “Contemporary Review.” After setting forth evidence in support of the contention that the French officials fail ‘to enforce the laws prohibiting recruitment of natives, except under certain regulations, and also prohibiting the sale of liquor or firearms to the natives, the contributor urges “that an amicable arrangement should bo made with the French Government whereby Great Britain should assume the sole governance of the entire group as a Crown colony, and that in consideration of this being agreed to, some 'territory in another country or place now in the possession and under the governance of Great Britain, should be ceded to the French Government,” If this should be impracticable he urges that, a Commission composed of British and French representatives together with one or moro representatives to be» appointed by some Power, which is not directly interested, should proceed to the New Hebrides rides to investigate the charges so persistently made, to report upon the same, and to suggest a remedy. The Rev. Georgo Brown declares that a partition of the islands between tbe British and French would not bo found either practicable or desirable, on the ground that British and French residents have trading or planting interests in all parts of the group. “If, for instance, spirits or firearms were freely and legally sold on some of the islands, it would be practically impossible to prevent their introduction into other islands where such sales are forbidden.” A fairly practical suggestion is that the Commonwealth of Australia should buy out the French interests in the New Hebrides and administer the group. Geographically the islands have a vital interest for Australia, though of more prospective than present importance. New Zealanders will remember that one of the last acts of the late Mr Seddon, then Prime Minister of this country, was to protest with his customary vigour against the British authorities arranging the future of the New Hebrides before consulting Australia and New Zealand. Mr Seddon was quite right, and although the Anglo-French agreement was confirmed when he spoke, his protest was treated with profound respect. It is certain that Downing street would not repeat the error. It is fairly to he taken for granted now that any representations which may he made by Australia, which might -well have the endorsement of New Zealand, would receive every consideration at the hands of the Imperial Government. For times have changed. Events hare moved fairly rapidly on this side of the world. The statesmanlike Imperialism of Mr Seddon at the time of the Boer war and of Sir Joseph Ward in the hour of the Mother Country’s troubles in 1909, together with the natural growth of Australasia in population and importance, have established a claim for consideration that can no longer be ignored. If the great Commonwealth of Australia takes the New Hebrides problem seriously,' a vast improvement in the administration of the group should bo possible.