NEW HEBRIDES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18905, 21 January 1927, Page 10

NEW HEBRIDES.

«. BRITISH SETTLERS. A ROYAL COMMISSION. [THE PRBBB Specli] Sprrien.] WELLINGTON, January 20The Hon. Mr Downie.Stewart, Act-ing-Prime Minister, announced to-day that as the result of consideration by the Imperial Conference, tho British Government -has decided to send a Royal Commission to the New Hebrides composed of representatives of his Majestv's Governments in Great Britain, Australia and Now Zealand, to investigate the position of the British settlers under the Condominium resipic in tho New Hebrides. An announcement to the. above effect has 'accordingly been mndo by the Resident Commissioner of the New Hebrides at. Vila. The Secretary of State for tho Colonies has nominated Sir Eyre Hutson, Governor of Fiji, in his capacity as Commissioner for the Western Pacific, to represent His Majesty's Government in Great Britain. The. Government of the Commonwealth has nominated General Griffiths, Administrator of Nauru, to represent Australia. The Government of New Zealand has nominated General Sir George S. Richardson, Administrator of Samoa, to represent the Dominion.

Order of Reference. TJia o;-i.l?r of reference of the Commission ih as follows :•*-■ "To report upon the position ot the British settlers in New Hebrides, with special reference to anv disadvantages under which they may be working m comparison with French settlers, and in particular to consider: — (1) The provision of an adequate supnly of labour for British settlers. (2) Anv further measures to assist the British settlers in the productjon and niarhc-tiiv; of their crops, and to indicate what Kuancial assistance, if any, would be inquired from the Government, whether by loans or otherwine, for carrying into effect any recommendations which the Commission mnv make. . x The Commission will visit New Hebrides for the purpose of its enquiry, and it is expected that the members will arrive at Vila early in April.