FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1910, 19 November 1913, Page 7

FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES

AUSTRALIA OPPOSED TO TRANSFER. , PRESENT POSIMOK VEILED. By Peksiitph—Prisea Asmoiation'-Ooßn'iEh* Melbourno, Npvembor 1.8. _ .Mr. Cook, the Federal iPritno Minister, in an interview on ilia subject of the New Hebrides, said: "Wo cannot oosiseia ly mn> flceti tiling as cession to Franco. It would bo a great blow to us for any other country to obtain solo possession of these islands, and it must; ba, made clear that the policy of Austmlk on tho oil© hand Will be emphatically opi>Gaod to «nj» attempt to- cede them to a foreign I'pwor, and, on tho other hand, will endeavour to secure uniform enforcement of tho decrees of tho Joint Court." '..

A deputation from the Soiith. Australian churches nsjied the QpmroonWcalth; Government-*-through' Mr." GiyniJi Federal Minister of Internal Affairs—to uso its influenco to have the New Hebrides transferred to Britain., or that the French Icondoniinittm should he altered. Mr, Glynn informed the deputation that the Governor-General, oft August 29, had received a. dispatch from the Secretary of State for tho Colonies, asking him to assure Federal Ministers that the Imperial. Gov-ormnent was flot considering any proposal for allowing the New Hebrides to become a French possession. Mr. Gfyynn added that the matte had been fully placed before the Imperial Government, with a request that in the event of any alteration in the administration, being* contemplated,, tho position and interests of Australia' should bo considered. Ho did hot desi'ro to say what tho present position was, beoau.se sometimes reticence, was necessary.

. Under tie Anglo-lV«n6h Agreement of April 8, ItiM, aiicl the Conven-tibi'i aigijod October 20, 1906, tho subjects ■of the two. Powers enjoy equal rights. bf residcnM), personal protection, and trade, each Power retaining jurisdiction over its 'subjects of citizens, and neither exercising a separate control over the group. ■ A3 to cittfcisus of other Powers, they uuist choose within sis months between tho legal systems of thft two Powers, failing which tho two High Comtiiiisswnefs decide under wnioU system' thoy Should bo plaeed. Tljb two. Powers,, uniterfopk not to erect fortifications or establish ponal Settlements in the group. The tvio High Commissioners a» appdittted by the British and French Governments.' and each, is assisted* Jjy a'Resident CpiiHtijSs'ieincr, A po.tico farce sufficient to protect life ana property is .provided in two divisions of eejual strength, each, under one of tho two Resident Commissioners. Vila, in the Island of Jifate, is tho seat of Gbvern•inent. Various public post and telegraph, public works, public healthy ports and harbours—.are undertaken, in common, a Joint Court is established! and regulations aro made aa to land suite, land prints and safes, tho recruitment of native labourers, etc. Tho sale of arms, ammunition, and' iivtox'icfit,-.-, jng liquors to native? is fbfbiddsn,