THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8334, 17 January 1907, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

LORD ELGIN'S DESPATCH. Received January 16, 9.35 a.m. MELBOURNE, January 16. Lord Elgin's despatch, dealing with the New Hebrides question, has Jbeen published. He expresses regret that in most cases the Imperial Government has found it necessary to differ with the Commonwealth, but any discourtesy is disclaimed. , In conclusion, Lord Elgin states that his Majesty's Government do not in any way regard the convention as a final settlement of the problem, but he claims that it constitutes a clear and important advance in the system, or lack of system, by which the affairs of the islands have hitherto been governed, and provides a fair settlement for the most difficult ques'tion which confronts the two Governments. The adjudication of land claims gives natives a regular recognised authority to whom they may appeal. Lord Elgin deeply regrets that the Imperial Government had not secured the hearty concurrence of the Australasian colonies in the course it had adopted, but they feel they would have failed in their duty if they had hesitated in accepting the responsibility thrown entirely upon them |by the Commonwealth and Zealand Governments, and to give the convention the seal of their" definite approval and confirmation. The Federal Premier (Mr Deakin), commenting on the despatch, said he. had no desire to prolong the controversy. The first and last that the Commonwealth heard of these matters was that the French proposals had been made and accepted, and a convention drafted which they must examine, but not alter. In face of this, Mr Deakin continued, he regretted to say that it was "impossible for us to our protest against the manner in which the convention was.arrived at without consulting the Commonwealth." SYDNEY HERALD'S CRITICISM. "A LAME AND IMPOTENT DOCUMENT." Received January 16, 9.53 a.m. x SYDNEY, January 16. , The Sydney Morning Herald characterises Lord Elgin's reply to the Australian condemnation of the New Hebrides convention as a lame and impotent document.