THE NEW HEBRIDES

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 18

THE NEW HEBRIDES

FRENCH CLAIMS ANSWERED.

SYDNEY, May 16. The Rev. Mr Gunn, a former missionary in the New Hebrides, in a letter to the newspapers, traverses the French claims made by Al. Raymond Pognon (President of the New Caledonian Parliament). Air Gunn says the proposals are unsatisfactory and unfair. The French have no settlers on the islands south of Vila, and it is questionable if they own as much land as they claim. He states that the French do not own a square loot in Aneityum, Futuna, Aniwa, and some of the other islands. He declares that the majority of the natives in the northern islands would, if askeo, prefer British rule. Air Gunn publishes a letter received from the chiefs of Futuna declaring that the French recruiting ship takes women away for immoral purposes and distributes liquor with a view to enticing recruits. This is causing the ruination or the islanders, and the chiefs plead that steps should be taken to stop these practices. BRITISH CONTROL RECOAIAIENDED. SYDNEY, Alay 17. The Presbyterian Assembly passed a resolution of protest against the grave scandals in the New Hebrides under the condominium, and decided to imnress on the Commonwealth Government that the only real solution is that the group should pass under the British Crown. The Rev. R. APGowan said that while the British were observing their part of the agreement, there had been a constant disregard of the terms of the Commission by the French. He contended that there were three solutions—First, tha patching up of the agreement; but dual control was always unsatisfactory. Secondly. France to obtain control; but in view of the bad treatment by the French under the joint control, what could be expected under sole control? Thirdly, control by the British, which was desired by the natives, and to which the British were entitled in view of the war services which they rendered to France, and also on account of the missionary work accomplished there. The Rev. D. Paterson, who was for 21 years a missionary in the New Hebrides said that there were 6000 Japanese in New Caledonia, also some in the New Hebrides. He added that the drink traffic was responsible for the decrease in the native population. Dr Gunn, a former missionary, said that the French would not allow the British to recruit labour for Fiji, but they recruited it for themselves for NoumeaBad as the condominium was, it was preferable to French control.