New Hebrides.

France Should Not Be Asked To Make Sacrifice.

IN an article which is justified and timely, the “Bulletin du Commerce” of Noumea, New Caledonia, comments upon some of the ridiculous statements which have appeared in Australian newspapers relating to the New Hebrides. Some Australian newspapers —whose lack of knowledge of Pacific Islands affairs is abysmal—have sug gested that Australia should take over the New Hebrides, and that France should be given some sort of compen sation for withdrawal from the Group.

The Noumea newspaper quite pro perly points out that such a proposal is absurd; and it quotes figures to show the dominance of French interests in the Condominium.

It is pointed out that in 1936 the ex ports of the New Hebrides were 10,131,664 francs and the imports 10,056,000 francs. The French section of the imports was worth 7,404,000 francs (of which a very large propor tion were goods purchased from Aus tralia) and the British section, 2,652,000 francs. Of the exports, the English part represented 626,800 francs, while the French part was 9,504,800 francs.

It is pointed out also that in 1936 the total of British shipping which visited the New Hebrides was 38,000 tons, while the French shipping totalled 258,000 tons.

Finally, the “Bulletin du Commerce” points out that the last census shows that the British and their dependants in the Group numbered only 251, while the French and their dependants num bered 1,706.

The newspaper comments: “The im portance of our trade, the number of our colonists, and the condition and value of our plantations are indisput able, and it is inconceivable that the Government of France would consent to sacrifice this happy result of our successful colonisation.”

Editorial Note: Anyone who knows the recent history and present condition of the New Hebrides will agree with the opinion expressed by the Noumea newspaper. Britain cruelly neglected her colonists in the New Hebrides, while France assisted her nationals in every possible way. In the circum stances, it cannot be expected that France will abandon the New Hebrides simply because a few Australian and British people have awakened, in very belated fashion, to the strategic im portance of the Group. It is much more likely that (a) the Group will be divided, the larger and more valuable islands going to France and the smaller and less important islands to Australia; or (b) that Australia will simply take the place of Britain as a partner in the Condominium, and endeavour to build up British settlement in the New Hebrides, in harmonious co-operation with French interests.