THE NEW HEBRIDES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 193, 24 November 1910, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES

INDICTMENT OF FRENCH CONTROL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 23. Dr. Nicholson, medical missionary in charge of the Victorian Presbyterian Church in the island of Tana, is visiting Sydney. He declares that the AngloFrench condominium in the New Hebrides is a failure. The terms of the convention are enforced on British subjects, but so far the French have not enforced them, especially with regard to the sale of grog and firearms, and the recruitment of women. He made a series of grave charges against French recruiters and traders, declaring that lately French recruiters from New Caledonia had become extremely aggressive and almost seemed desirous of provoking the natives to a breach of the peace. They charged natives if tliev failed to catch them fish, and shot their pigs. This to the Tannese was one of the most deadly insults. They also allowed native crews from other islands t© land armed with rifles and roam about. He mentioned a number of cases of cruelty in connection with recruitment. Received 23, 0.35 p.m. Sydney, November 23. Dr. Nicholson declares that lie was in the New Hebrides far four years before the condominium. Illegal recruiting and outrages of French recruiters were worse noiv than ever previously. A very small percentage of natives recruited to New Caledonia were returned, and these in many cases were returned becausfe they were suffering from leprosy or other incurable diseases.