The New Hebrides.

Manawatu Herald, 11 January 1902, Page 2

The New Hebrides.

Owing to mistaken kindness by England very many years ago the French secured certain liberties as to fishing on the shores of the colony of New Foundland, which has been twisted into undefined rights which is capable of affording a pretext for war when one is wanting between France and Great Britain. Year after year the British Government have been badgered by the colonists to get rid of the claims of Prance on their coast line, and Prance has as obstinately declined to give way in the least. She is acting on the faith that if she is worth moving she should be able to secure something in lieu of the claims, whether right or wrong, which she may assert. English newspapers having their eyes on objects closer to their vision have been' suggesting the release o! the French claims by giving them the New Hebrides, little thinking of the strenuous objection raised to such a course in Australasia. The Commonwealth Government have taken time by the forelock and again urged their objections to any such exchanges being made and the Secretary of State has replied that no such concessions were contemplated.

The New Hwbrides are a collection df some thirty islands at the extreme north of Queensland, and are inhabited by a low type of savage cannibals and offer nothing very special in the advantage of owning them, except the negative one of no one else being able to control them. The islands were thoroughly explored by Captain Cook and are claimed by the British, though nothing has been done to occupy them. Franca has always had a covetous eye on this group but has never ventured to make any claim, but undoubtedly an error was made in 1887 when it was agreed that the protection of persons and property in the New Hebrides should be secured by uK-ans of a mixed commission of naval officers belonging to the French and British stations in the Pacific. The High Commissioner whose headquarters are at Fiji, has control over the New Hebrides. The agreement gives the French an opening for argument, and a claim, if a poor one, and it is a pity such a chance was given. The objection to French supervision of these islands arises from the fear that the islands- may be made a penal settlement like New Caledonia, which would bo a hideous thipg to have opposite one’s back door as the Commonwealth would have were France to have the islands and use them in the manner feared, otherwise there is no real value to fight about.