Farce Should Be Ended.

The fact that, as stated by Mr.

Dubois, British interests in the past have been seriously neglected and mal treated by the British authorities does not mean that the conditions described will continue indefinitely.

On the contrary, British and Australian authorities must be brought to a frank recognition of the alterna tive before them, which is simply that conditions in the New Hebrides must be altered to make existence possible for the British planters or the Group must be given over wholly to France.

It is impossible for the British planters and traders to carry on without governmental assistance, and with the fact of their existence practic ally ignored, while French subjects are being actively helped and encouraged.

Australia’s responsibility in connec tion with the administration of the New Hebrides must be re-stated and in sisted upon. Australia, before the War, was eager enough to have a share in the development of the New Hebrides; she definitely accepted certain respon sibility in that Group; and scores of planters were settled there under Aus tralian auspices, with a promise of a market for their products.

Since the War, Australia seems to have forgotten all about the New Hebrides, while the British Government, in tragic fashion, has ignored the needs and hopes of this small but important British community. Is it any wonder that many Britishers have either de parted, or sought French citizenship?

The Condominium is a farce —and as it is an increasingly expensive farce, something must be done about it.

Neither party to the Condominium has carried out its part in the spirit of the Convention; but the greater fault has been with the British.

The British and Australian Govern ments must now do something—either take some action to protect their small but important interests in the New Hebrides, or hand the whole responsi bility over to France. —R.WiR.