DUAL CONTROL FAILS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17351, 16 May 1924, Page 7

DUAL CONTROL FAILS.

SLAVERY IN NEW HEBRIDES

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(.Received May 16. 10 a-m.) SYDNEY. May 16. Th© Presbyterian General Assembly adopted a deliverance, “ That the assembly teamed with regret of the prevalence of abuses prejudicial to the natives under joint control in the New Heoridos, and instructed the Foreign Missions Committee to make continued efforts to secure that, by some amicable arrangement with France, the islands pass under cole British control.” In the Victorian House of Representatives, Mr Maxwell presented a petition bearing 40,000 signatures. requesting the House to consider at an early date the intolerable state of affairs in the New Hebrides under the condominium, stating that dual control had broken down lamentably, resulting in the inadequate protection of the natives, many of whom are held in a condition of practical slavery. The petition adds:—“Women are being degraded and outraged, and used as decoys to secure labour,for the plantations. The only solution is single control by the British.”

The petition requests that the House bring the- matter before the Imperial Government with a view to bringing about an amicable and honourable arrangement with France, by which the New Hebrides will pass under sole British control.