THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1343, 16 September 1886, Page 2

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

A LOST OPPORTUNITY. With regard to the question of the New Hebrides, a correspondent reminds ns (writes the Colonies and India) of the fact that it Is entirely owing to the neglect of the Colonial Office that the French now have possession of New Caledonia. Many years ago Dr Lang, well known as an active member of the New South Wales Legislature, In a long letter called the attention of the Colonial Office to the question of New Caledonia, urging that, looking to the future of Australia, this gronp of islands should be taken possession of by Great Britain, for the reason, among others, that in the band of any foreign power in time of war they would serve to blockade the whole trade of Australia, and in time of peace would be likely to be made a depot for convictaBeyond the mere acknowledgment of his letter, nothing was done by the Colonial Office ; and although I r Lang appealed pubbcly in the matter, it was ignored till France one day very quietly sent a vessel to take possession of the islands. The Australians could only growl and grumble at the neglect of their interests, hot the history of this affair has not been forgotten by them, and hence the persistence with which they keep the question of the New Hebrides before the authorities at Downing street.