THE NEW HEBRIDES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81915, 9 January 1907, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES

* BLO: BOOK. ISSUER lleeeivcd Ulli, 10.50 p.m. London, January 8. A Blue Hook 011 llu- New ilein'ides has lic-cu issued. Lo.viwx m:ss co.\uiext. LIiSSOXS TO l(K GAINED. .MATTERS I'OK CONSIDER AT lOX OF CO I ,ON 1A L COX I'EREXCE. IXTEIMMI'KUIAL MACHINEUY. Received BUI, 11.17 l>.m. London, January 8. The l'ost says the Convention ,did 110 L ail'eet any great Imperial or Australasian interest. The Australasian Governments were aware ot the trend of British policy under An glo-Freneh agreements, hence it was idle to propose annexation and futile to lament the arrangements of ISSIi. Opinions are quoted showing the recognition. among sections of Austral asians, that considerations of Empire must of necessity be dealt with in a large way between groat Powers who are neighbours. The Post then contrasts this with the fewness of Aus tralasians in the Xcw Hebrides, and adds that the Colonies have 110 .just cause for grievance against the Impel' ial Government, but might advantageously strengthen their representation in London. ,

The Times reiterates the urgency of some means of keeping the Imperial Government and the States of the Empire in continuous touch. The Times admits that a speedy agreement was necessary in view of the South Pacific presenting to Foreign Powers strong temptations for the establishment ol naval bases, but declares there was every justification for the criticism that the Imperial Government entirely failed to secure the representation ol views at the proper time. Like tiie French, our negotiations should Jmvc included experts acquainted wit™ local conditions, and the views of the Colonies should have been ade quately expressed. The fault lies, .•ontinues The Times, in the system, md it is to be hoped that the Colon ials will be prepared at the Conference of 1007 with practical sugges tions. ]f so. it will assuredly he the duty of the Home Government to give i full and thoughtful hearing. The Daily News says the policy, in equal fairness, ought to have suggested the advisability of carrying the Colonies with us as far as possible, inasmuch as they were entitled to an expression of their views before the Commission.

The Chronicle says the correspondence is a curious example of friction resulting from muddling, though possibly had the colonics been represented it the Convention, it would have been the same except for a few details, but there was a wide dilference, as far as good feeling and mutual satisfaction were concerned, between carrying a partner with you, and after leaving him outside, throwing a document at liis head for confirmation or rejection. One of the principal tasks of the Con ference should be the devising of new inter-Imperial machinery.