THE NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8279, 5 November 1906, Page 5

THE NEW HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

HISTORY OF THE NEGOTI-' ' ATIONS. STATEMENT BY THE FEDERAL PREMIER. MELBOURNE, November 3. The Hon. A. Deakin, Federal Premier, makes the following statement regarding the New Hebrides Convention: — "In November, 1905, we were informed for the first time that a French offioial was visiting England to discuss questions regrading the powers of the tribunal for the settlement of the New Hehrides land claims. "In March, 1906, the Imperial authorities posted a despatoh covering a copy of the draft convention. We were then informed for the first time that the Government had enlarged the scope of the disoussicu mentioned in the first communication. We were informed that the draft convention must be ' either confirmed or rejected praotioally as it stood. The conference which framed it had met in London*about March, lhe federal Government bad not bean officially informed of its existence, and knew nothing of the lines upon which it was proceeding. "Soon after the arrival of the despatch, Mr Seddon oame to Australia. We closely examined the draft together, and forwarded to the Colonial Office two memoranda, praotioally identical in terms, pointing out numerous -natters in which the convention waa unacceptable to us, making suggestions for its amendment. On August 22nd last we sent a cable asking when a reply might be expected to that despatoh. On the same date the Seoretray of State for the Colonies cabled that he was afraid he oould say only that a reply would be sent at the earliest possible date. "On October 13th, after consultation with the Government of New I Zealand, we sent a cable informing | the Imperial Government that, not having been consulted during the negotiations, ana our suggested amendments—except, perhaps, a few minor proposals—not having been accepted, and being unable at the distance to judge of the possibility ofjobtaining amendments, we had no option bat to leave the whole responsibility with His Majesty's Government. On October 20th we received information that the draft convention had been signed." Received November 4, 4.52 p.m. LONDON, November 3. Mr O. Kinlook Cooke, in an article in the Empire Review, suggests that when the New Hebrides question is next considered the British case would stand on a very different footing if Australia lowered her tariff walls against British settlers in the New Hebrides or against produce from the British. The owners of estates there also should do.their utmost to promote British settlement in the Islands. M.A : , L.L.M., accompanied the late Sir Peter Soratohley, H.M's. Speoial Commissioner for New Guinea, to Australia, where he made a speoial study of Australian affairs. He afterwards visited New Zealand).