The New Hebrides.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 152, 14 January 1902, Page 3

The New Hebrides.

Sydney, January 11

An article recently appeared in a ! French journal published in the -New Hebrides, suggesting a desperate appeal to the French Government Jn favour of the definite annexation of the islands. Amongst other assertions, it was stated that England showed no interest in the question except to please the ardent politicians of . the Australian Commonwealth, who alone would oppose the Cabinet in London, leaving France to exercise sovereignty over the archipelago; and that commercial transactions with Australia would be improved by France annexing the islands. Th 6 j weakness of the mixed Commission I had been taken advantage of (amongst others) by certain Presbyterian missionaries, who disregarded all remonstrances, and the rights of the French had been trampled on. The State Foreign Missions' Committee of the Presbyterian Cburch of Australia discussed the artiole, and sent a letter to the Press traversing the statement contained therein. They allege that every statement made in reference to Britain, the Commonwealth and the Presbyterian missionaries* is contrary to fact. . If for " certain Presbyterian missionaries" was substituted "certain Erench colonists " the real state of affairs would be truthfully described. The Presbyterian missionaries, in addition to their special work, had always sought to protect tho natives against the labour traffic and aggression of unscrupulous white men* Another letter from an coresident: of the group says that the agitation for French annexation is directed principally by interested officials, desirous to ' acquire the New Hebrides as an exclusive recruiting ground for the Mew Caledonian plantations} and suggests that it would be much oheaper now to buy out-the French than tea or twenty years benw.

January 12

The Sunday Times suggests offering France the Falkland Islands in exchange for her interests in the New Hebrides or Newfoundland.

The Rev, Mr Edgell has furnished some interesting details regarding the outrage committed by a French vessel at one of the mission Btations in the New Hebrides. The buildings comprising the station were all burnt to the giound, and their contents completely consumed. They included a church with accommodation for 400 people, and a schoolhouse of somewhat smaller dimensions, The only articles saved were a cross and two candlesticks, . which had been taken to another church for a dedication service. His personal effects, valued at £l-15, perished in the fhme3~. These included bis library, about five inouthV stores, his clothes, and three s«te of Communion vessels. It will take the mission workers about a year to repair the damage. The schoolhouse is now being rebuilt and when that is finished Unchurch will be started. The Rev. Mr Edgell is very anxious to get his claim for compensation settled, and from news wiijc,h.. | be has just received, this is likely-tu be done very shortly. He has simply set down the bare value of thb articles destroyed. Respecting the political aspect at the New Hebrides, Mr Edgell expressed the opinion that the French Government paid the people a subsidy to make it worth their while to stay on in idleness, so that they might be able in the event of census being taken of the white inhabitants of the group, to point to the numerous (though not too profitable) trading stations, and say that the] French colony being so far in] advance of the English in point' of numbers their claim to the islands was a far more justifiable one than the British. Joint protectorate cannot go on much longer, and even now it is a subject of much discussion among the British residents, who are by no means enamoured of it, since, though protection is willingly given where the aggressors are! natives, yet it is evident that the two Powers concerned do not relish having to interfere in disputes between their respective subjects. The British Government wer6 blind in that they did not see the great strategic importance of the Hebrides group, which was the key to our South Pacific possessions.