THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 982, 24 November 1910, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST THE FRENCH.-. - By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 23. Dr. Nicholson,'medical missionary in charge oi' the Victorian Presbyterian Church on the island Tana, in the New 'Hebrides, is visiting Sydney. Ho de-. dares that the Anglo-French Convention is a failure. Tho terms of the convention were enforced on . British subjects, bat, so far, were not enforced on tile frcnch, especially as regards the sale oi grog and firearms, and the recruiting of women. Ho mado a series, of grave charges against French recruiters and traders, declaring that lately French recruiters from New Caledonia 'had liccomo extremely aggressive, and' almost seemed desirous of provolcing the natives to a breach of tho peace. They charged, the natives, and if they failed to catch them shot their pigs. This, to tho Tannese, was one of the most deadly insults. They also allowed native crews from other islands to land, armed with rifles, and roam about. Ho mentioned a number of cases of cruelty in connection ivith recruitment. CONDITIONS BECOMING WORSE. (Hoc. November 23, D.25 p.m.) Sydney, November 23. Dr, Nicholson declares that ho was in tho New Hebrides for four years before the Anglo-French condominium. Illegal recruiting and outrages by French recruiters were worse now than ever previously. A very small percentage of tho natives recruited to New Caledonia wero returned, and theso in many cases wero returned , because they were suffering from leprosy and other incurable diseases.