THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1750, 15 May 1913, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

THE EVILS OF DUAL CONTROL, CHARGES AGAINST THE FRENCH. By TeleEraph—Press Association —Copyright Sydney, May 14. Tho Presbyterian Assembly carried a resolution expressing regret at tho continuanco of abuses in tho New Hebrides under the condominium, and asking the Australian and Imperial Governments to tako steps 'to stop tlicso injustices. Speakers reiterated tho charges against tho French of selling liquor to natives, of wholesale kidnapping, beating riatives almost -to death, and selling natives to ono another. It was stated ■ that the French do ndt mako their subjects keep the law, no matter what decision tho joint Commission may give, and that it can only bo enforced by Government officials of tho offending party. Tho Rev. F. Paton, a New Hebrides missionary, declared that tho condominium was rotten through and through. It was a disgrace for Britain to have anything to do with it. Years ago the missionaries could leave their wives on the islands and they would 1m safe, but since tho French sold grog to the natives white women wero no longer safe.

The population of the Now Hebrides has been estimated at from 100,000 to 140,000, but tho mission returns place it at only 50,000. The natives are Mclanesinns, 'but in many places there is an admixture of Polynesian blood. Missions had been established by tho Mclanesian Missionary Society, by the Presbyterian Churches of Canada and Australia, and by the Roman Catholic Church. A large number of the natives are still cannibals. Thero is a-European population of about 030, mostly British or French. A joint commission, of British and French naval officers, was appointed to protect the lives and property of British and French subjects, and to maintain order. British and French Residents were appointed in 1902. In February, ISOG, a conferenco of British and French, officials took place in London, and n draft convention was prepared to provide for the settlement of land claims, • and for an arrangement which would put an end to the difficulties arising from tho absence of jurisdiction over the natives. A convention coutiiming'tho above-mentioned draft was signed in London on October 20, 1006, and was provisionally proclaimed at Vila, the chief town of the New Hebrides, on December 2, 1007. Its provisions include tho establishment of a joint court, and of an executive government consisting, for some purposes, 'of .(lie Kentatives in tho'group acting lnconcerr. I'or other purposes British and French nationals remain subject to tho control enly of their own authorities.