THE NEW HEBRIDES

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 13

THE NEW HEBRIDES

BRITISH SETTLERS 'HANDICAPPED

RESTRICTED OUTLET FOR PRODUCE.

CFbosi Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, September 8. Commander J. C. T. Glossop, of H.M.S. Prometheus, which arrived at Auckland to-day, gave an interesting interview to a press representative concerning the present outlook in the group. "The New Hebrides," he said, "never were British, but are no less British now than they were originally ; in fact, they are v good deal more so since the declaration of the 1906 convention between Britain and France, which establishes a joint occupation. The reason of the non-sne-ccss of the British settler and trader in the New Hebrides is very simply explained. The products of the French settler are imported free into Noumea, and a substantial bonus is given ; in fact, every possible inducement is held forth to the French colonist in the New Hebrides. Then, take the unfortunate position of the British colonist. His only outlet is practically olosed, inasmuch as the Commonwealth Government heavily handicaps him by levying duties on what he exports to Australia. As a single instance, take the production of coffee — one of the principal pioducts of the group. Coffee cannot be grown in Australia; therefore, what can be Australia's object in taxing coffee? Yet the tariff barrier has been raised, and the cultivation of coffee amongst the British settlers in ,the New Hebrides has been lulled, for the simple reason tliat.it does not pay to grow it. Maize-growing is another pursuit open to the inhabitants of the groups and the Federal Government does allow a slight rebate. That rebate, however, is not at a rate pro rata to the amount grown, but simply a rebate on the whole sum involved in transactions, 6O that when maize is grown in any quantity the concession works out at nothing at all. The Australian papers are always bringing this question up, but it is entirely Australia's own fault. It cannot be said that New Zealand is in any way to blame, because it does not trade to any extent with the New Hebrides. That brings forward the question, however, of the desirability of the Dominion opening up trade relations with Vila. Jn my opinion it would be the saving of British interests in the New Hebrides if this were done. The Union Company's boats used to trade with the New Hebrides at one time, but in recent years it has been allowed, to drop off, and Australia now provider the only outlet to British produce from the gioup. The banana trade at one time flourished in the group, but that was absolutely killed as a result of the Commonwealth putting on a restrictive duty with a, view to encouraging the cultivation of bananas in Queensland. At present Great Britain and France pay the cost of maintaining authority in the New Hebrides, including the British residents., judges, and officials." Regarding the proposal made by Mr Johnson, in the Federal House of Representatives, to grant a rebate on bona fide British-grown products, Commander Glossop was entirely in accord with it. The second cause of the British settlers' failure was the unsatisfactory condition of land titles. Until joint courts were fully established, no definite title could be given. On the other hand, a French company, holding a considerable area of lanJ. was* able continually to place the French settlers under so many disadvantages that a British trader had no incentive to cultivate coffee or a similar pioduct. He has to be content to trade almost entirely in copia. Thi statement in a London cablegram that the Briti.-h Resident at the New Hebrides is holding himself aloof from the settler ancj traders, as he i& chiefly concerned in avoiding anything to hurt the feelings of the French, is ridiculed by the commander of the Prometheus. He says the British Resident is thoroughly qualified to deal with the many intricate matters within the scope of hi? administration, though he has a difficult duty to perform, and is struggling against the tremendous odds already outlined. Commander Glossop confirms the statement by Mr James Burns, of Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co., recently cabled, in regard to the ultimate extinction of the native race in the New Hebrides. Commander Glossop says there has been a decline in the population on all the Islands of this group. It looks as though consumption ar.d other scourges will lead to tho ultimate extinction of th© natives. The islands generally are very quiet, and in a more satisfactory state than lot a long tims past.

— About 300 years ago the popvlation of England was less than 5,000,000.