CO885-8 — Page 235

[Thit Documentos

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. August 19, 1903.

SECRET.

Miscellaneous No. 160.

468

Notes on Colonial Questions referred to in Lord Lansdowne's recent Conversation

with M. Cambon.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-| COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

NEW HEBRIDES.

his

IN regard to the New Hebrides, we inquired in January last as to the views of Australia and New Zealand on the suggestion that we should propose to France the establishment of a Joint Protectorate over the group, in order to put an end to the difficulties at present arising from the absence of jurisdiction over the natives of the group. Both Governments strongly protested against such an arrangement, and, urged that an effort should be made to induce France to cede her interests in the Islands by concessions of privileges or of territory elsewhere. The Governor of New Zealand added that he understood that, in preference to a Joint Protectorate, Ministers would favour a partition; but the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth stated that they consider "the establishment of a Joint Protectorate-against which, nevertheless, they earnestly protest-less, but only less, unpopular than a partition of the group between the two Powers." In a subsequent despatch they stated that a rumour had reached them that France would be willing to sell its interests for 250,000L, and we have replied that we had no information as to the willingness of France to sell, and inquired whether, if such a. proposal was made to His Majesty's Government, they desired us to negotiate on the basis of purchase, and would they find the money. To that inquiry, which was made by telegraph on the 10th July last, we have not yet received a reply.

It is possible that the French New Hebrides Company--which represents the bulk of the

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