NEW HEBRIDES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1933, 15 November 1906, Page 2

NEW HEBRIDES.

PROMISED JUSTIFICATION.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 10.35 p.m., Nov. 14. London, Nov, 14

Mr Winston Churchill has prepared a dospatob of oonsidorablo length regarding tho Now Hebrides, dealing with tho nego tiations and convention on thoir merits. Tho dospatoh ba3 boon sont to Lord Northoote, and as soon as it reaches him, Government will publish papors justifying thi m, As far as tho futuro is oonootned. Government always dosiro to oonsult with tho colonies in tho fullest mannor on any subjoot alleoting thorn both before and during negotiations. At the ooming ounforonco a further opportunity will aiise of considering the mnobinory to bo omployed in this direotion.

THE NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION INTERPOSE.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received 12,49 a.m., Nov. 15 Melbourne, Nov. 14. A deputation representing directors of the Natives’ Assooiation waited on Mr Deakin in reforeuoa to tho New Hebrides Convention. The deputation presented a resolution carried by tho direoiois, expressing regret that the wishes of Mr Deakiu and Air S.dlou had not beon further embodied iu the convention. They strongly urged Mr Deakin to have the rnaiiur re-opened. Tho President of the Board of i).renters said tho islands wore of far mate importance to Australia than they could p isnibly bo so any oiher nation. From a commercial point of view they wore of little use to Ftaooo, hut the latter appeared to regard them as useful for coaling purposes. The question the deputation partioularly wished to ask was, did the Prime Minister consider Australian interests were being sufficiently safeguarded ? If he did, were they pr-pared to let the mattor rest at that ? If not, the Assooiation was ready to make the whole matter a liye publio qursiion, aud New Zealand would be asked to 00-operate in having the termß made more favorable to Australasia. Mr Deakio, roplying to the question whether the Government wero satisfied, said ho oertainly could say emphat'oally it was not, It objected in the first plaoo to the convention, as it provided carefully for Frenoh interests and French expansion, aud was not so mindful of British or Australian interests, while Mr Seddon and himself were negotiating wiih the Home authorities oiroumstanees arose which rendered immediate d.ciaraiion of a dual coutrol necessary, This unfortunately implid aooeptance of the draft convention as far as it went.

The President: Is it true that the attitude of a third Power rendered this hurried action necessary ? Mr Deakin said some iDfluenoe of the kind was at work. On the receipt of fuller correspondence on the subject it would be his duty to obtain the sanoinn of the Frenoh Republic for as many of the desired amendments as possible. When the details arrived he would be in a position to say what further action was necessary in the interests of Australia and Britain.