Vanuatu's prime minister Moana Carcasses and his cabinet led a parade to commemorate 150 years since the end of blackbirding in the Pacific.
Among those that took part in the parade yesterday were about 100 members of South Sea Islanders from Australia who are part ni-Vanuatu.
The parade commemorates the end of the practice of kidnapping Pacific islanders for forced labour in Australia in the 19th century.
The Prime Minister said those who caused so much suffering including death among the workers should have been ashamed of themselves.
Mr Carcasses encouraged leaders to come up with suggestions on how the governments of the two countries can reach an amicable understanding over the issue.
The parade also took place a day before the country celebrates its 33rd anniversary of independence today.
