THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 51

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

A PETITION FUOM. NATIVES OF EPI. MELBOURNE, March 30 The Rev. Mr Fraser has forwairkd fioin the New Hebrides to the Committee of the New Hebrides Mission Synod a petition fiom the natives of the island of Epi to the King, asking (-heat Britain to ainux the island. The petitioners state: '' jtuie ate man}' white men coming to t 1 - 1 New Hebrides, and at the hands of some of th°?c — mostly Frenchmen — we have suffered tiuel wrongs. Some of them have foiv-ibly po'-se^Fed themselves of our lands, burnt do\iii our houses, shot oui pigs, and harassed us in other v\a\s. We w i=h to live in peace, but at present have no protection from such injuries. Many of us know the English language, and appreciate and cling to the blessings of the Gospel and the civilisation which has come to us thiough the men of your nation. We also fe<_l the conduct of the British race to be more just and humane tow ards the black nices than that of other white men. Therefore we earnestly beseech your Majesty to take us under your protection, and that our islands, be annexed to the British Empire." Mr Fraser si'.ys that the petition simply voices the feeh.ig of the natives throughout the whole group, and adds; "Surely s\;ch a call foi protection cannot be lightly Luc? aside by the British nation." SYDNEY. March 27. A rumour fiom what is descubsd cts an exclusive seciet source leached Mr Barton a few days ago that a suggestion had been made that the difficulty ovei the Newfoundland French shore question should be settled by handing over to France the Bntis-h rights in the New Hebrides in exchange foi the Ficnch concessions in Newfoundland Mi Baiton interviewed Lord Hopetoun, who despatched a cable to Mr Chamberlain inquiring if such an ariangement was contemplated Mi Chamberlain replied that there was absolutely ro foundation for the reporc Mr Barton is keeping a vciy watchful eye upon the islands in the Pacific. He says the policy of the Feder il Government in lt^pect to the Nev> Hebiu'o is that they wish to see <ur)i .sieps t iken .is to >-c are that no land pas^s in such a dnectiwa as may tend to toitify churns in i expert of mteie-ts antagonistic to those ot the l.mpue.