NEW HEBRIDES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1922, 3 November 1906, Page 2

NEW HEBRIDES.

" AN ELOQUENT WARNING.’’

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT 'Sydney. Nov. 2. The Sydney Morniog Herald says Mr Churchill has apparently strangely misunderstood the attitude of the Commonwealth and Now Zealand in regard to the Now Hebrides. When Mr Churchill states that Australasian acquiescence in

the convention has been obtained he is stretching the oourtesy of diplomacy to breaking point. What Mr Deakin and Sir Jo-eph W-rd said in the end was, as the Imperial Government had disregarded their proposals they left the responsibility of completing the convention on the shoulders of the Colonial Office. They should not have said this, but should have deolared plainly that the convention was and is opposed to the best interests of New Zealand and Australia, and they therefore must rofuse to sanction

/it in any way. Their acceptance of Ihe inevitable has been translated into acquiescence in tho policy of a new arrangement, and this translation of their attitude will be eloquent warniDg for the’ future. Australia may hardly be blamed far recognising in the convention now. evidence of the deßire to buy foreign friendship at the expense of the colonies. The convention is absolutely against the interests both of the colonies concerned and our Empire. It was a weak, unworthy concession to politeness of pres* sure.