FRENCH INFLUENCE IN THE PACIFIC.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9586, 4 September 1909, Page 5

FRENCH INFLUENCE IN THE PACIFIC.

DECREASE OF NATIVE POPU-

LATION.

Received September 3, 10.50 a.m SYDNEY, September 3.

Mr James Burns, of the firm of Burns, Philp and Co.. has returned from a tour of the New Hebrides. He says that the outlook at the islands at present is ail in favour of the French. A large amount of money has been supplied by the French Government, and the French Company, supported by the Government, to enable settlers to develop their holdings. Colonisation is proceeding rapidly on the French side, while British immigration is practically at a standstill, One reason for the increase ,of French ia the depression of trade in New Caledonia, many people leaving and settling in the New Hebrides.

Mr Burns declares that the natives are decreasing so rapidly that it seems only a matter of time before the whole is wiped out, and the islands left solely to the whites. Some of the islands, which five or six years ago had two or three thousand inhabitants, now have only five or six hundred. >

TO ENCOURAGE BRITISH SETT VERS.

PROPOSED REBATE OF DUTY.

MELBOURNE, September 3. In the Federal House, Mr Jol nson moved that, in order to encourage settlement in Papua, a rebate of duty should be given on all bona fide British-grown island produce. He declared that French influence was rapidly expanding in the New Hebrides, and that it was desirable to counteract it. Tne debate was adjourned.