The New Hebrides Question.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 10 July 1886, Page 3

The New Hebrides Question.

Wjr.T,r,TNQTON, July 7. In the Legislative Council, the adjourned debate on Sir F. Whitaker's resolution regarding the New Hebrides question was resumed by Mr Menzies, who exprebsed his regret that the Premier had agreed to a settlement of the subject in the face of the correspondence which had taken place between the English and French Governments. It was evident that the French Government, in their attempts to obtain possession of the New Hebrides, desired not only to establish a convict settlement in the future, but their idea was to perpetuate the vile labour traffic. Apart, however, from this aspect of the question was the danger that these islands might, in case of war between Great Britain and one of the great European Powers be seized by the latter, and used as a coaling station by a ioe, who would be thereby enabled ro swoop down on the comparatively unprotected British possessions in the Southern seas. He ventured to assert that bad the late Lord Falmerston been at the head of affairs when the late attempt on the part of France to annex the islands took place, a different complexion would have been put upon the matter. Dr. Grace ridiculed the idea that France (M. Waddington's statement notwithstanding) ever intended to seize the New Hebrides, either for a convict station or as a labour station. He considered the violent objection of the colonists was a piece of flatu'ency, and unworthy of them. He de precated colonists interfering with a question which was really an Imperial one, Mr Stevens entirely disagreed with the remarks of Dr. Grace that the question was an Imperial one. Dr. Pollen considered that the pretention on the part of Great Britain was an avrogant one, and one which could not be substantiated. Sir F. Whitaker, replying, said his resolutions exactly hit the New Hebrides question. With regard to the danger of the colony being inundated by French ex-con victs, who had served their time in New Caledonia, he would point out that these people must go somewhcie, and if thecolony agreed to the offorof France, it was probable fchey would be quietly aattled in the islands of the New Hebrides Group, and thus would not overrun the whole of the Islands of the South and Western Pacific The New Hebrides were of little or no use to the colouy. or to the Empire, and lie thought the best thing they could do was to advi&e the Imperial Government to w thdraw all opposition to France acquiring the New Hebrides. He considered it would be an insult both to the Imperial Government and the House of Representatives, if the resolutions were not agreed to Sir F. Whitaker's motion was then put and carried on a division. Ayes, 17 ; noes, 10. Sir F. Whitaker withdrew the motion in his name for the second reading of the Influx of French Criminals Bill.