MAJOR ATKINSON ON THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1497, 24 April 1886, Page 3

MAJOR ATKINSON ON THE NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

Haweba, April 22. Major Atkinson, addressing bis constituents at Normanby, touched on the New Hebrides question. He reiterated his often expressed regret that New South Wales and New Zealand had not joined the Federal Council. The latest proof of thp weakness of the Qolopies owing to their not being united was that Franc© was apparently tq have the New Hebrides. In return, France was to guarantee that she would not deport criminals thither and was to relinquish her claim to Kaiatea and Rapa. The

guarantee as to convicts was of no value, because site would continue to send them (o New Caledonia, where they could practically become free men, and thence they would be taken under ongagomen by the French companies d?ing business in the other islands. As to Raiab a and Rapa, it was a curious fact that when, some years ago, the Government instructed the Agent-General to point out to Lord Granville that those two places were colored in French maps us French territory, Lord Granville replied, “ That is nothing ; we do not acknowledge the cliatn yet. Now it was proposed to give the New Hebrides to France if she would only relinquish her claim to Raiatea and Rapa- If the colonies had been able to speak with one voice on this question, France would not have the New Hebrides or Raiatea or Rapa. He did not object to France to getting the islands for colonising purposes 5 but she wanted the islands for no such purpose, but rather for that of securing a position which in the event of war would prove a thorn in the side of England, and would necessitate the maintenance of vast armaments in these colonies.