THE HEW HEBRIDES

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 21

THE HEW HEBRIDES

CONVENTION AMENDED. MELBOURNE, July 19. In tile House of Representatives the Prime Minister (Mr Bruce) tabled the amended New Hebrides Convention, which was ratified by the French and British Governments last year. The condominium system, which was established under the 1906 Convention, is retained, hut it is amended in certain directions which will make for a clearer distinction in the jurisdiction and administration of the two Powers. The report covering the convention states that since ratification the provisions which come under British control have been brought into operation. The French authorities, however, have been inactive, thus causing delay in matters affecting the joint administration; therefore none of the new proposals affecting joint control has been given effect to. The report further states that no proposal for a division of the islands has been discussed by the two Powers. While a division would undoubtedly solve many of the difficulties in administration, it would also create fresh difficulties of a serious character. It is possible that this division may ultimately be found the best, and even the only, solution of the difficulty.

The New Hebrides islands have been governed since 1906 under a joint Anglobreneh agreement, but recently a number of charges have been levelled against the efficiency of the condominium method of administration, —more particularly on the part of the Drench.