NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81888, 15 November 1906, Page 3

NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

DESPATCH FROM COLONIAL OPFJCii. THE CASE ON ITS MERITS. COLONIES TO HE CONSULTED IN FUTURE. Received I t, 10.35 p.m. Lo.vno.v, November I f. Winston Churchill has prepared ;i despatch of considerable length regarding the New Hebrides, dealing with the negotiations and the Convention ou its merits. The despatch was sent to Lord Northcote, Governor-General, and as soon as it reaches him the Government will publish the papers, justifying, as far as the future is concerned, that tho Government always desire to consult with ths colonies in the fullest manner on any subject affecting them both before and during negotiations At the coming conference, further opportunity will arise of considering tho machinery to be employed in this direction.

FROM THE COLONIES' STANDPOINT t ARE AUSTRALIA'S- INTERESTS SAFEGUARDED. THE POSITION REVIEWED. AWAITING FULLER DETAILS.

Received 15th, 12.2y a.m. Melbourne, November 14. A deputation leprescnting tindirectors of the Natives' Association waited on Mr Deakin with rclerencc to the New Hebrides Convention. The deputation presented a resolution, carried by the directors, ex pressing regret that the wishes of Mr Deakin and Mr Seddjn had not been further embodied in the Convention, and strongly urged Mr Deakin to have the matter reopened. The president of the lioard of Di rectors said the islands weie of far mor,e important*-' to Australia than they could possibly be to any other nation. From the commercial point ut view they were of little use to France, but the Matter appeared '0 regard them as u-eful for coaling purposes. T| lt . question the deputation particularly fished to ask was: Did til; Prime Minister consider Au-tral laa interests were being sufliciently sateguarded? If he dd, they weie prepared to .'et the matter rest at that. If not, the Association was ready to make the whole matter a live public question, "'and New Zealand would be asked to cooperate in having the terms made more favourable to Australasia. Mr Deakin, replying to the question whether the Government was satisfied, certainly could say emphatically they were not. They objected in the first place to the Convention, as it provided carefully for French interests and expansion, and wa« not so mindful of British or Australian interests. While Mr Seddon and himself were negotiating with the Home authorities, circumstances aiose which rendered an immediate declaration on dual control necessary. This, unfoitunately, implied acceptance of the draft of the C«n vention as far a- it went. The President: Is it true that the attitude of a third Power rendered tiiis hurried action necessary? Mr Deakin said at Hume influence of a kind was at work. On receipt uf fuller cortc-pondence on the subject, it would be their duty to obiain the sanction of the French Republic for as many of the desired amendments as po-sible. When the details arrived he would be in a po-ition to say what further action was necessary in the interests of Australia and Britain.