NEW HEBRIDES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1921, Page 5

NEW HEBRIDES.

QUESTION OF CONTROL. INTERESTS OF FRANCE. OFFER TO AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Press Asan.—Copyrigtt. London, Nov. 5, With reference to the Australian reports relative to the sale of a French company’s properties in the New Hebrides it is learned that Mr. John Hamilton, the London representative of the company, endeavored to see personally Mr. W. M. Hughes when the latter was in London. He was apparently unsuccessful, and therefore submitted the proposal in writing on June 25. Mr. Hamilton made it clear that the proposal had been disclosed to the French Government, who offered no objection to the transaction, also that the whole of the French interests were covered by the sale, thus giving the Australian Government the predominating control in the New Hebrides which she desired. Further cables passed after Mr. Hughes left England, and the latter cabled on September 27 promising to reply after Cabinet consideration and asking for an extension of the option. Mr. Hamilton was anxious to receive a reply prior to the meeting of the French company on October 27, and on October 31 he sent a cable stating that the company, failing the immediate acceptance of the. offer, must deal elsewhere. Americans were trying to negotiate with Mr. Hamilton, who was still without a reply to his cables.

Mr. Hamilton also offered to accept payment in bonds, if convenient to Australia, maturing over five years, and suggesting 7,000,000 francs in the first year, three millions in the second, and five millions in each of the three following years. The whole of the title deeds were deposited in Noumea. Mr. Hamilton states that the French Foreign Office asserted that the sale would give full political rights. It is known that when Mr. Hughes was in London he discussed the Hebrides question with the Imperial authorities, and afterwards saw the French authorities in Paris on the subject. He should therefore be in possession of very definite knowledge of the whole situation.