THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1265, 16 June 1886, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

[From the Mo.il,] The debate upon the resolutions brought before the House on Thursday by Sir George Grey,-as the outcome of the deliberations of the Pacific Islands Committee, and which is to be resumed to-moi*row evening, has so far been characterised by great ability, and promises to be the most interesting which has taken place in the New Zealand Parliament for some years. Every phase of the question has been presented, and nearly everything that can be said in support of any of the various policies advocated by different schools of politicians has been arrived at. As to the result, it cannot be urged that it has been made in haste or without full consideration of all the bearings of the case, but, in view of the action recently taken by France, we cannot help regarding the proposal for a mixed Commission, which is the main feature of Sir George Grey's resolutions, as an anachronism. Had that action not been taken, the proposal l was at least a possible one, though, as tbe Premier’s speech conclusively showed, there was little chance of such a system working satisfactorily. But «e it has been taken, we regard it as jether 100 late to discuss it ; for, rilhstandmg the opinion said to nv,i been expressed by M. Waddington and the disclaimers of the French Government of any intention of annexing the New Hebrides, we are persuaded that the landing of troops and the establishment of military posts in the islands is the certain prelude for their gradual, and eventually complete, occupancy. So firmly convinced are we of this that we look upon it as the height of folly to forego the opportunity of securing whatever counterbalancing

advantages we may, ere it be too late to do so. We sincerely deplore that apathy of the Colonial Office which has permitted matters to drift into the present position, and the carelessness or ignorance, or both, which prevented the establishment of British sovereignty in the islands years ago, as might have been done with the full concurrence ot the Natives and without a word ol objection from any European pow«r. But it is vain to cry over spilt milk, and that opportunity has gone altogether beyond recall. It, therefore, appears to us that all that it is possible for us to do is to make the best ol a bad job. This is the view taken by Sir Frederick Whitaker, who has tabled resolutions in the Council affirming the following propositions, viz. :—(t‘) That it is of importance to Great Britain, and of especial importance to the Australasian colonies, that a satisfactory understand* iog should be come to between the several States having interests in the Western Pacific as to their respective rights and claims. (2) That the most pressing question at present requiring settlement is that between Great Britain and France in reference to the New Hebrides, (j) That the most satisfactory settlement of this question which now appears to be practicable would be a treaty between Great Bntsja aud France whereby Great Britain snould withdraw all opposition vO the acquisition by France of the New

1 Hebrides islands on condition— (a) That no more convicts of any class be sent by France to any of her possessions in the Western Pacific ; ( h ) That the protection of religious freedom and peaceable oossession of their rights and

properties be guaranteed to all British subjects residing in or resorting to the New Hebrides, and that specially to the Presbyterian missionaries established ; {c) That freedom of trade and commerce be guaranteed to British j subjects equally with those of France ; (d) That the island of Rapa be ceded

by France to Great Britain. These resolutions in (pstssima verba have been moved in the other Chamber by Mr Scobie McKenzie, as an amendment upon Sir G. Grey's resolutions, and are almost identical with the proposals made by France to the Colonial Office, save, as we understand, that m the latter It was further offered that no fbstacles should be interposed by ranee in the event of Great Britain

desiring to annex the Harvey or Cook group. So far as we can learn, the probabilities are that the amendment will be carried, or that both the motion and the amendment will be lost, in which case the House will simply decline to make any recommendation at all, leaving matters to develop themselves as best they may. If this lame and impotent it will clearly be the fault o™he Government in that they have given Parliament no lead whatever, and if by the policy of “ Drift " not only the New Hebrides themselves but all the advantages which might now be secured be finally lost, Ministers will assuredly have to bear the blame.