THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 October 1901, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

(our own correspondent.)

Dunedin, Oct. 1. Mr H. Porlong, of South Malakala, New Hebrides, who is now on a visit to Dunedin, says that French aggression in the group shows no signs of abasement. He speaks somewhat bitterly about the lack of support given, as he alleges, to British sett'ers, by naval officials in the case of disputed land claims. The procedure is to refer the matter in dispute to a mixed commission, consisting of officers of British and French warships. The result is always the same, the French officers will not budge an inch, and so long as no personal violence has been offered to the British subject, the British officers give way rather than prolong the dispute. “ What is the good of making trouble about it ?” the British officer asks. Mr Forlong holds that it is better that disputes should be unsettled than that they should be settled in a way that, he says, is enabling France to strengthen its hold upon the group. He thinks that the frequent changes which are made in the personnel of the British officers on the station, whereas the French are stationed for a term of three years at Noumea, are inimical to the interests of the British. Among the British settlers there is a strong feeling in favor of the appointment of an impartial commissioner to investigate the land claims. The trade of the Islands is at the present time in a flourishing condition, as there is a brisk demand for copra, which is the main product, and the coffee crop has been a good one.