The New Hebrides.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3620, 6 March 1906, Page 3

The New Hebrides.

TERMS OF THE SETTEE-

MKNT.

Eondon, March 4. The New Hebrides agreement comprised fifty articles. Britain and France retain power over their own peoples; the administrative rights of both are unchanged and hone is surrendered ; there is to be no division of the islamls ; and neither assumes an independent control. The most important provision is the creation of courts with British and French judges, each administering his own legislation in the case of his own subjects. A special tribunal presided over by a third judge appointed by a friendly Powers* deals with land claims. This definition of judicial rights ends the deadlock in connection with the punishment of offenders.

Sydney, March 4. The Telegraph says that any hopes that may have been raised in Australia of the definite solution of the New Hebrides problem by the Anglo-French Conference have been dissipated by the announcement that the existing dual control is tc be continued. This will profoundly disappoint all those who recognise that this plan of Government has invariably been a failure whenever and whenever applied. That the new agreement is likely to result in improvement upon the existing conditions may be conceded, but that it affords a solution satisfactory to Australia, must be energetically contested.

The Herald says the agreement is in the spirit of the larger national convention between the two powers, but it might have proved satisfactory locally if Australian opinion had been given a chance to express itself.