THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 13 January 1902, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

(FSB PKKBS ASSOCIATION.' Sydney, January 11. An article recently appeared in a French journal published at the New Hebrides sugeesting a desperate appeal to tbe French Government in favour of defioite annexation of the islands. Amongst others, assertions jrere made that England showed no interest in the question except to pUaiv'3 ardent politicians in the Australian Commonwealth »ro alon. oppose tbe Cabinet in London in leavitg France to \«rciee sovereignty over the Arcbipelajjo * that commeici-4 transactions with Australia would be lrnitfaved by Frantfe annexing; that the Sfcaknees of a mixed commission w taken advantage cf by W /ngst others, certain Presbyterian mfcsjonane?, who disregard all remonstrance, »nd that the rights of the French are ifuni led on without remonstrance by the S'atesThe Foreign Mission Committes of tbe Presbyterian Ohuroh of Australia fussed the article and draft* d-a letter press traversing the statements. It aJlegestbat overstatement madetherein with reference to Britain, the Commonwealth, and the Presbyterian missionaries is contrary to fact. If "for certainTresbyterian missionanes w»s substituted "certain French colonists," the real state of affairs would be truthfully described. The Presbyterian missionaries, in addition to tbur special work, always sought to protect the natives against the labour traffic aggression of unscrupulous whi'emen. Another letter from an ex-president says the agitation for French annexation is directed principally by mter«sted official?, desirous to acquire the "New Hebrides as an exclusive recru<ting ground for New Caledonian plantations. He snggetts that it would be cheaper now to buy out the French than ten or twenty years Lence.