THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1626, 27 August 1887, Page 1

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Paris, Aug. 23. The Repuhlique Francaise, in an article on the New Hebrides question, says that an agreement may be easily arrived at if England put a stops to the absurd Australian calumnies and rodomondates. England and Germany had divided New Guinea, and, therefore, the former could not oppose the annexation of the New Hebrides by France, although she would be entitled to a guarantee against the transportation oi convicts. Aug. 25. The newspaper Le Soleil, in an article discussing the New Hebrides suggests that France should seek to recompense England for the occupation of the group which in a manner wou'd be acceptable lo the latter. The desire for such recompense is, Le Soleil declares, England’s sole motive in opposing the French occupation of the islands. London, Aug. 23, Further discussion on the subject of the New Hebrides took place in the House of Commons to-day, Sir James Ferguson, Secretary for the Colonies, repeated the statements made by Lord Salisbury in the House of Lords on the Ist inst. as to the position of affairs, and stated that the Government continued to urge France to.arrive at « settlement. That country, he added, had given proof of friendship, whicli ho trusted would long continue, despite (he natural and just rivalries, Aug. 25. The discussion on the New Hebrides question was resumed to-day in the blouse of Commons. Mr Bryce complained that France was evading a settlement of the question in hope that that England would not agree to offer a concession elsewhere in the Pacific in order to secure the evacuation of the New Hebrides. Sir James Ferguson said that England was bound to recognise the desire of expansion on the part of powerful nations, and had no right to object to the French colonisation of the New Hebrides, though military occupation was regarded with fear and doubt.