THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 23

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

DEPUTATION TO AIR MASSEY. A deputation consisting of the Rev. G. 11. Jupp (convener of the Foreign Alissions Committee of the Preabt verian Church), the Rev. H. H. Barton (secretary of the Foreign Missions Committee), the Rev. Dr Cameron, and Air P. 1,. Clark waited on Mr Massey with reference to the New Hebrides. In introducing the deputation Air T. K. Sidev, M.P.. explained that it represented the Foreign Alission Committee of the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. G. H. Jupp said they approached Mr Massey in view of the fart that in all probability he would he going to the Imperial Conference. The position in the New' Hebrides had become very acute. Their feeling was that the time hail come when the scandal of the condominium must be made public. Air Massey said he knew perfectly well (hat the working of the condominium ill the New Hebrides was intensely unsatisfactory. Dual control hath never been a success, anil he thought it was impossible to make it a success, but the difficulty was to find a way out.. The French Government had been asked if it was willing to make an exchange by taking land of equal valfte from the British Empire for the New Hebrides, hut it had absolutely refused to do so. He had a friendly feeling for (be French, hut where territory was concerned it was almost impossible to deal with them. He would do his best to remedy matters, but he was not very sanguine in view of vihat had happened in the past. Some readjustment was necessary, and the rights and interests of the natives should l>e protected. If he could do anything to further the request of the deputation it would ho done.