The Ashburton Guardian. Manga Est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1886. The New Hebrides.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1277, 1 July 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Manga Est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1886. The New Hebrides.

The debate upon the New Hebrides question was resumed in the House of Representatives last evening by the Colonial Treasurer, who gave a very clear and logical exposition of the whole matter, and introduced the following series of resolutions ; “r. That the Government be required to represent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that this House recognises the difficulties with which Her Majesty’s Government have had to contend in dealing with questions relative to the Pacific Islands, and especially the New Hebrides Group,' and hopes that the expression of its opinion on the subject will not be without use. “ 2. That the Government strongly urges Her Majesty’s Government not to consent to the New Hebrides being (•mporari’y occupied by any foreign nation on any pretext whatc\’er. “ 3. That the Government consider that many interests concerned would be best served by continuing the terms of the present undertaking, under which England and France have mutually agreed that neither country shall annex the group. “4. That the Government is of opinion that if, for reasons known to Her Majesty’s Government, it is considered highly expedient to arrange for the annexation of the New Hebrides by France efficient guarantee, by treaty, should be taken : (a) That no more convicts of any class be sent by France to any of her possessions in the Western Pacific. (b) That protection, religious freedom and the peacable possession of their rights and property be guaranteed to all British subjects residing in or resorting to the New Hebrides, and especially to the missions established there. (c) That freedom of trade and commerce be guaranteed to British subjects equally with those of France. (d) That the island of Rapa be ceded by France to Great Britain, and all objections be waived to Great Britain annexing Rarotonga and adjacent islands. “5. That the Government is of opinion that the labor traffic of the islands, if continued, should be so controlled as to prohibit employing laborers without their consent, to prevent their ill-treatment, and to provide for their return to their homes after their contracts of service have expired.” Notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of Sir George Grey, who made quite a pathetic appeal on behalf of the natives of the New Hebrides, these resolutions were carried by a substantial majority and, for the time being at least, the political aspect of the question is practically disposed of. We have all along disapproved of the pro-

posed occupation of the islands by France, but we must admit the series of resolutions adopted by the House last night suggest a very important quid pro quo. We deny that the opposition to French -annexation- is

prompted by a spirit of false sentiment ; a large section of the colonists object on very reasonable grounds to the disturbance of the uti possidetis , and others, forming perhaps a much larger section, have no confidence in the plausible assurances by France.

But still we think the Government has

made the very best of the position ; the resolutions mildly protest against the proposed annexation, and then go on to set out certain advantages which should be secured in exchange for any

concessions that may be made to France. From a commercial point of

view and from a social point of view,

we believe the Australasian colonies

would secure the better of the bargain

suggested by the resolutions we have

quoted, but, we confidently believe, this advantage would be secured by the sacrifice of even higher interests. How-

ever, it would now be futile to discuss

the question; Parliament has deter-

mined upon a certain course, and we

must await the further development o: the matter.