THE EON. MAJOR ATKINSON AT NORMANBY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3608, 24 April 1886, Page 3

THE EON. MAJOR ATKINSON AT NORMANBY.

Hawbba, April 22. The Hon. Major Atkinson addressing his constituents at Normanby -touched on the Now Hebrides question. Ho reiterated his often expressed regret that Now South Wales and Now Zealand had not joined the Federal Council. The latest proof of the weakness of the colonies, owing to their not being united, was that Franco waa apparently to have tho New Hebrides. In return Franco was to guarantee that she would not deport criminals thither and was to relinquish her claim to Baiatea and Bapa. The guarantee as to convicts was of no value, because she would continue to send them to New Caledonia, where they could practically become free men, nnd thenco they would be taken under engagement by the French companies doing business m tho other islands. As to Raiateu and Bapa, it was a curious fact that when some years ago tho Government instructed the Agent-General to point out to Lord Granville that these two places wero coloured m the French maps 03 French territory, Lord Granville replied " That is nothing; we do not acknowledge the claim." Yet now it was proposed by Lord Grnnvillo to give the Now Hebrides to the French if she would only relinquish her claim to Baiatea and Bapa. If the colonies had been ablo to speak with one voice on this question, France would not have tho Now Hebrides or Baiatea nnd 3'apa. Ho did not object to France getting islands for colonising purposes, but she wanted these islands for no such purpose, but rather for that of securing a position which m the event of war would prove a thorn m tho sido of Kngland, and would necessitate the maintenance of vast armaments m theso colonies.