NEW CALEDONIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2032, 12 April 1890, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA.

Melbourne, April 10 Mr John Higginson, owner of the Balade mines in New Caledonia, who is on a visit to Melbourne, has been interviewed. He says that Australia has played her cards badly regarding New Caledonia and the recidivisite question, but at the same time admits that the presence of so many of the worst of French criminals close to the shores of Australia is a serious menace to the well-being of the colonies. The development of New Caledonia itself, he states, demands that the existing system of deportation of criminals must not be continued much longer. He is of opinion that France is friendly inclined towards Australia, and does not wish to annoy her, and believes the matter could have been settled long ago had the colonies been milder in their terms. He considers the New Hebrides a natura dependency of New Caledonia, and surely Australia does not want France to give up a natural dependency, something she wants and Australia does not require. Let the colonies make reasonable proposals for the settlement of the difficulty, and Mr Higginson says he will use all his influence to induce France to accept them. For the moment France refuses to look at things in a reasonable light, The New Hebrides Company would bring influence to bear. He ridicules the idea of buying France out, as he is positive she would never consent to sell, and Australia must not talk of kicking her out.