AUSTRALIAN NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8778, 15 November 1906, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

DEPUTATION TO THE FEDERAL PREMIER. MELBOURNE, November 14. A deputation representing the directors of the Natives Association, .waited on Mr Deakin with reference to the kew Hebrides Convention. Tlie deputation presented a resolution carried by the directors expressing regret that , the wishes of Mr Deakin and Mr Beddon had not been further embodied in the Convention. They strongly urged Mr Deakin to have the matter reopened. The president of the Board of Directors said that the Islands were of far more importance to Australia than they could possibly be to any other nation. From a commercial point of riew they were of little uso to Franco, but she appeared to regard them as useful for coaling purposes. The question the deputation particularly wished bo ask was : Did' tiie Prime Minister consider that Australian interests were being sufficiently safeguarded? If he did they were prepared to let the- matter rest at that; if not, the Association •was ready to mak© the whole matter a live public question, and New Zea>land would be asked to cooperate in having terms made more favourable to Australasia. Mr Deakin, replying to the question as to whether the Government was satisfied, said that certainly he could say emphatically it was not. It objected in the first place to the convention, as it provided carefully for French interests and. French expansion, and was not so mindful of British or Australian .interests. While Mr Seddon and himself were negotiating with tgie Horn© . authorities circumstances arose which rendered an immediate declaration of dual control necessary. Thia, unfortunately, implied acceptance of the draft conventon as far as it went. The President: Is it true that the attitude of a third Power rendered this hurried action necessary? v Mr Deakin said that Home influence of a kind was at work. On receipt of fuller correspondence on the subject it would be their duty to obtain the sanction of the French Republic for as many of the desired amendments as possible. When details arrived he would' be in a position to say what further action was necessary in the interests of Australia and Britain.