THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1408, 16 November 1886, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

Events are proving the wisdom of the attitude taken up by Sir Robert Stout with regard to the vexed question of the occupation of the New Hebrides by France, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the course he advocated in his celebrated reply to the authorities of the Presbyterian Church will even yet be found practicable. This was that the annexation by France should be agreed to upon that Power entering into treaty obligations to cease the deportation of criminals to the Pacific, to guarantee religious freedom and equality in ihe New Hebrides, and to yield to Great Britain the recentlyacquired island of Rapa. It has long been evident that nothing short of compulsion by force of arras would ever induce the hauling down of the tri-color now that it has been planted on the New Hebrides, and it is equally evident that Great Britain would make an immense mistake if she precipitated a great war over so comparatively trifling a matter. And yet the persistent worrying of Sir Graham Berry threatened to involve the Imperial Government in complications which might easily have led to a position of grave difficulty as between the Powers, possibly even to actual hostilities. It is, therefore, pleasing to find from the latest telegrams to hand that there is now a possibility of the matter being settled on the lines indicated in the memorandum of the Premier, and which were indeed with slight modification subsequently adopted by the House of Representatives as the best solution of the difficulty. After an exhaustive debate on the subject last session upon the various proposals of Sir George Grey, Mr Ormond, Mr Scobie McKenzie, and of the Government, the House affirmed the following resolutions :r. “ That the Government be requested 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 an expression of its opinion on the subject will not be without use. a. Strongly urges her Majesty’s Government not to consent to the New Hebrides being temporarily occupied by any foreign nation on any pretext whatever. 3. Considers that the 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. 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, an 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 of religious freedom, and peacable possession of their rights and properties be guaranteed to all British subjects residing in or resorting to the New Hebrides, and especially to 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) 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 illtreatment, and to provide for their return to their homes after their contracts of service have expired.” So far as regards the cessation of deportation of convicts to the Pacific and the cession of Rapa to England, the terms of annexation suggested by the New Zealand Parliament are identical with the original proposals of the French Government, and we do not imagine that the Republic will have any objection to urge against the proposed guarantee of religious liberty and protection of the rights of British subjects, nor do we suppose that the stipulation with respect to Raratonga will be found to prove a stumbilng block ; while if the whole matter can be adjusted on the lines proposed, we think it will be cause for great congratulation. We, therefore, entirely agree with our Christchurch contemporary, the Press , in the opinion that an opportunity now presents itself to urge the acceptance of the suggestions of New Zealand, and we join with it in the hope that the Premier will now “ make a bold effort to get the dispute between England and France settled” on the basis of those suggestions. ,