... Yes, over land, says Australia

Keeping pace with its declaration that it wants to rid itself of the burdens of “colonial bossdom , the Australian Labor Government has moved to cure a headache which has troubled suecessive governments for 70 years Australian ownership of 25,000 acres of land in the New Hebrides.

Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced in June that the government had agreed to hand over the land to the people of the condominium.

A communique issued jointly by the British and Australian governmerits said: The Australian and British governments have agreed in principle that Australian land in the New Hebrides known as the Commonwealth lands’ should be transferred to a land trust board to be set up by the British Resident Commissioner in the New Hebrides under Queen’s Regulations.

As part of a contract made in 1902 between the Australian Government and Burns Philp and Co Ltd, Burns Philp transferred the right of disposal of approximately 25,000 acres of land in the New

Hebrides, to which it held claims, to the Australian Minister for Ex ternal (now Foreign) Affairs, in return for an increase in shipping subsidy.

“Most of the land is registered in Burns Philp’s name and the company has continued to act as agents for the Australian Govern ment in dealing with the land, “It will be the duty of the Land Trust Board to further the use of the land vested in it from time to time for the benefit of the people of the New Hebrides, “The ‘Commonwealth lands’, with some possible exceptions to be agreed between the British Resi dent Commissioner and the Aus tralian authorities, will be vested in the board.

“In reaching this agreement the Australian and British govern ments have had very much in mind the interests of the New Hebri deans.

“Detailed discussions and negoti ations consequential upon the agreement will be held as soon as possible between the British Resident in Vila and the Aus tralian authorities.”