NEW HEBRIDES

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES

UNDER TWO FLAGS SCANDAL OF DIVIDED CONTROL MR MASSEY ASKED TO ACT. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 8. A deputation, consisting of members of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church, waited on the Prime Minister to-day, with reference to the New Hebrides. The Rev. G. H. Jupp said in all probability Mr Massey would be going to the Imperial Conference. There was divided control over the islands between the British Commissioner and the French Commissioner. British control was very strict, but that of the French was very lax. There was one law for the British and another for the French, and the position was quite untenable. Alcohol was being supplied to natives and labour was being recruited on lines almost approaching slavery. Their feeling was that the time had come when the scandal of the Condominium must be made public. Mr Massey: That is quite right. Mr Jupp said that they wished Mr Massey would keep this matter in mind at the Imperial Conference, and bring it forward if he could possibly do so. Mr Massey said he knew dual control in the New Hebrides had never been 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 value from the British Empire for the New Hebrides, but it had absolutely refused to do so. He had a friendly feeling for the French, but 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 what had happened in the past. Some adjustment was necessary, and the rights and interests of the natives should be protected.