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New Hebrides

Volume 175: debated on Thursday 6 June 1907

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I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether nations other than France and England are entitled to recruit natives of the Now Hebrides to serve outside the islands.

So far as I am aware there is at the present moment no power to control persons belonging to any nationality recruiting natives in the New Hebrides for service outside the group. If, however, as seems probable, the hon. Member is inquiring whether nations other than France or Great Britain will be entitled to recruit when the Anglo-French Convention of 20th October, 1906, comes into force, I would point out that under Article 31 the two High Commissioners will have the power to refuse a licence to recruit to any vessel not sailing under the flag of one of the signatory Powers.