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Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1927, Page 2

Tnk announcement tit' tin* sotting up of ;t Royal Commission to enquire into tho conduct of thu oondomiiiium in Xew Hebrides may bring some relief to British settlors, but 11 10 order of reference does not appear to bo wide enough to allow of consideration being given to the peculiar situation created by the existence of dual control. The opinion expressed by a distinguished French journalist who described it as “a system which is condemned hy experience since 1907. and which can only lead to useless friction between ourselves and our neighbours.” is endorsed by all who are acquainted with the Xew Hebrides. The inherent weakness of the Condominium is evidenced in the attempt, to enforce law and order under two different, systems of Courts—a joint Court and two national Courts. Kneli nation, retains absolute control over its own nationals, hut when it comes to t h<> treatment of tho aboriginals, the different outlook of British and French is only 100 apparent. They differ essentially in their traditions, in their methods of colonisation and in their treatment of native peoples. This difference is reflected in their altitude to the traffic in liquor and fire-arms and in the recruiting and handling; of labour. The Joint Court, unfortunately, has no power to enforce its own decisions, for the execution of sentences is vested in the Government 'Resident of the nation to which the offender belongs. The charge has been made that penalties inflicted on French residents hy the Joint Court have been ignored by their Resident, while British subjects guilty of offence have been effectively dealt with. The result lias been unequal administration of the law as between the people of the two nations. Even in cases of ill-treatment of the natives the sentence is referred to the resident, and it is stated that it is extraordinarily difficult for any native to obtain redress against n | French settler. Again, the delay in dealing with land claims Inis been a fruitful cause of annoyance, for. although the Court began its operations in 1907. not one claim has so far been decided. \ arious suggestions have been made to end this unsatisfactory form of government; partition, ceding to France in return for a quid pro quo. or that Britain should endeavour to buy from France. The first course is said to lie impracticable, while national pride would probably stand in the way of a realisation of either of the remaining suggestions. Tho arguments for the introduction of a different system of government in the Xew Hebrides are unanswerable, but. that is outside tho scope of the recently an nouneed Royal Commission