THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81881, 5 November 1906, Page 2

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

STAI-JiMtNT UV MR DEAKIN. HOME UQVKKNiifc.N'i"S ACTION XUAViikSiiU. Melbourne, November 3. Mi Deakin niuku > tire l-jlluwing" statement regarding ths New hebuJoj Convention. '-In November, 190' we we.e inl'oimed for t;.e fit it i-rao thai a French uflic'al was vi-it-ing England io d *cuss questions regarding- the powers of UlO tribunal for ihi- seu ement of ti.e New Hebrides land claims. in Match, ujo&, the imperial authorities posted a despatch covering copy of the draft Convention.. We wcie then Informed fo.- the fir.it time tlm. the Government had enlarged tire scope of the discussion mentioned in the first communication. We were informed that the draft Convention must be either confirmed or rejected practically as it stood. The Conference which framed it had to meet in London about March, the Federal Government had not been officially informed of its existence, and knew nothing of the lines upon which it was proceeding. Soon after the arrival of the despatch, Mr Seddon came to Australia! "We closeiy examined the draft together and forwarded to the Colonial Office two memoranda, in practically identical terms, pointing out numerous matters in which the Convention was unacceptable to us, and making suggestions for amendment.

"On August 22nd last we sent a cable asking when a reply might be expected to that despatch, jand otf the same date the Secretary of State for tho Colonies cabled; "lam afra ; d I could say only that a reply shall be sent at the earliest possible date.' "On October 13th, after consultation with the Government of New Zealand, we sent a cable informing the Imperial Government that, not having been consulted during the negotiations and our suggested amendments except perhaps a few minor proposals, not having been accepted, and being unable at the distance to judge the possibility of obtaining amendments, we had no option, but to leave the whoie responsibility with His Majesty's Government. "On October 30th we received information that the draft had beetf signed."

A HINT TO AUSTRALIA.. TO ENCOURAGE THE HEBRIDES Received 4th, 4.52 p.m. London. November 3, C. Kinloch Cooke, in an article int the Empire Review suggests that when the New Hebrides question is next considered, the British casoi would stand on a very different footing if Australia lowered her tariff against British settlers in the Hebrides or against the produce from' British-owned estates there. Austral lia also should do her Utmost to proi mote British settlement in the Is< lands.