§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies 1185 whether his attention had been called to complaints from British subjects in the New Hebrides that their interests are not being adequately supported; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ Colonel SEELYMy attention has been called to the telegram from Sydney in the "Morning Post" of Monday last, to which I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers. Having regard to the fact that a sum of over £38,000 is provided on this year's Estimates in connection with the New Hebrides, the Secretary of State, as at present advised, is not prepared to recommend expenditure for such purposes as surveys of land claimed by private individuals. He has no doubt that the British Besident Commissioner and his staff will continue to do everything in their power to support British interests.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to make further inquiries?
§ Colonel SEELYAs to what?
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYAs to the trouble.
§ Colonel SEELYWe are constantly receiving reports, and if we do not get the information we want we will ask for it.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he can now state whether the same conditions as to the employment of female and child labourers in the New Hebrides are enforced in the case of British and French subjects alike?
§ Colonel SEELYEnquiry is being made of the French Government as to whether they have modified the Labour Instructions, of which a translation is printed on pages 18.22 of Cd. 3,876 of 1908; but there has not yet been time to obtain a reply.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYDoes it take a fortnight to get a reply from Paris?
§ Colonel SEELYIt might take much longer than that for Paris to get a reply from the New Hebrides.
§ Mr. FELLasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he had any information with reference to the position in the New Hebrides and the claims which are being put in on behalf of French syndicates and companies for a large part of the land in those islands; and if these claims are put in under the provisions of the Convention?
§ Colonel SEELYIt has been well known for many years past that the French New Hebrides Company claims a large area of land in the New Hebrides. The validity of these claims can only be determined by the Joint Court under the provisions of the Anglo-French Convention of 1906. Recent information has been received to the effect that the services of a party of officers and men of the French Army Colonial Corps have been lent to the French New Hebrides Company for the purpose of making land surveys in the group; but the Secretary of State has no information of any change in the general position with regard to land claims, nor is any such change apprehended.
§ Mr. FELLMay I ask if anything is proposed to be done by the Government to stop the greater part of the land of these islands passing into the control of French companies?
§ Colonel SEELYOne of the many advantages of the New Hebrides Convention was the setting up of this Joint Court, which will ascertain by legal process what are the rights in the matter in regard to both nations. Until that court is fully established in its work I do not think it would be desirable to make any statement or take any further step.
§ Mr. REESIs it any part of our business to prevent the lands of those islands falling into the hands of French subjects?