THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7886, 31 July 1905, Page 2

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

AUSTRALIA'S POSIIIOH, SHE CAR SECURE REDRESS. (Received July 30, 4.19 p.m.) LONDON, Juiy 29. Commenting on Mr Coghian's lettet explaining the position in the Marshall Islands, the Times says Germany's excuses added insult to injury. She was indisposed to alter the transparently illusory arrangement' until tin: Australians were beginning to bint at retaliation. It a little money was involved, the denial of justice was all the more Inexcusable. The lesson oi the dispute is plain, 'says the Times ; Britain is powerless to protect British commerce and las nothing left to negotiate with ; no, primitive powers except war. l.ord Lansdown might have written despatches till the crack of doom, and never obtained anything but pettyfogging answers. The Australians themselves, continues the article, obtained a promise oi redress, and it therefore rests with them to see that the redress is genuine and adequate. They, have something to negotiate with, and have power to retaliate when commercially injured. They, are . masters oi their own dtynestic legislation, and are not bound hand and foot. Only the fear that Australia possessed six millions sterling of Germany's commerce to operate upon brought the German Government to reason. Australia can imitate Canada's example by adopting a preferential tarifl, and she possesses other ways , of making her displeasure felt. Getmany is in no sense indispensable to the Australians, though they are very useful to Germany. By insisting on the fullest equality of treat- . ment. and adequate compensation lor , past injury they, can do a good thing for themselves and for the Empire.