NEW CALEDONIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4815, 11 April 1890, Page 2

NEW CALEDONIA.

(pek eleotrio tbleokapn— copvright.) (Per Pbess Association.) (Received 1 p.m., April 10th.) Melbourne, April 10. ' Mr John HigginaoD, owner of the Balado minea m New Caledonia, who is on a visit to Melbourne, haa been interviewed. He says that Australia haa playp.d her cards badly regarding Now Caledonia and the reoidiviaite question, but at the same time admits that the proßonce of so many of the- worst of French criminals close to the shores of Australia is a serious menace to the well-being of tha colonies. The development of Now Caledonia itself,he states, demands that the existing system of deportation of criminals must not be continued much longer. He is of opinion that France is friendly inclined towards Australia, and does not wiah to annoy her, and believes the matter could have been settled long ago had the colonies been milder m their terms. He considera tho New Hebrides a natural dopendency of New Caledonia, and surely Australia does not want France to give up a natural dependency,something she wants and Australia doe 3 not require. Let the colonies make reasonable proposals for tho BOttloment of the difficulty, andMr Higginoon says ho will uso all his influence to induce France to accopt them. For tho moment Franco refuses to look at things iv a reasonable light. Tho New Hebrides Company would bring influence to bear. Heiidiculcs tho idea of buying Franco out, as he is positive she would uovcr consent to sell, and Australia must not talk of kicking liar out.