THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2204, 30 May 1908, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

EXTRAORDINARY STATE OF AFFAIRS.

BRITISH RESPONSIBILITY

United Press Association—Copyright. (Received Mav 29, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 29.

On the colonial vote, Major Seely explained the difficulty in bringing the Now Hebrides convention into operaton. It arose from the extraordinary stato of things existing there. The country ,liad no sovereign, and belonged to nobody. The Government was hampered at every step because there was no precedent. However, order was now being evolved out of chaos, and something would be done to nia'lse the place happier for the unfotunate natives who had been so much harried in the past. Britain had no control over the recruitment by France of natives for service in New Caledonia. “We must rely on France’s justice and humanity.” Mr. Banbury declared that tho British Government could not shirk its obligations because some of the natives were outside of British jurisdeton, and the Government shared the responsbility for tho treatment of the natives whoever they were. Mr 11. Tennant said a Sydney telegram showed that French traders were importing large quantities of intoxicants to the New Hebrides. Mr. T. Hart-Davies held that the Colonial Office had done much to improve the old system in the New Hebrides.' The vote was agreed to.