New Hebrides May
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
End of the "Pandemonium"?
New Hebrides May Go to France
A NEWS message from London, that “Britain is considering handing over the New Hebrides to France”, was published in a small section of the Australian newspapers on December 3; but has not been officially confirmed or denied.
It is known that the future ad ministration of the British Terri tories embraced in the High Commission of the Western Pacific (British Solomons, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and the British side of the New Hebrides Condominium; has been under consideration in the past five years.
The Western Pacific High Com mission has long been an em barrassment to Britain the Solomons and the G & E Colony because they have only a poor “coconut economy”; and the New Hebrides because of the unwieldly, partnership with France.
It is believed that Australia could be induced to take over the Solomons administration, and add it to that of New Guinea. Britain has offered it on condition that Australia also took over Britain’s responsibilities in New Hebrides. But Australia flatly refused that proposition.
In PIM, of January, February and March, 1954, we reported that plans had been under discussion between high British and French officials, affecting the future of New Hebrides.
This was “officially denied”.