THE ANNEXATION QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1050, 17 September 1883, Page 2

THE ANNEXATION QUESTION.

[rEDTEE’s TELEGRAMS. —COPYRIGHT.] Melbourne, Saturday. ( The Agent-General in London telegraphs to Mr Service that the Colonial { Office has replied to the joint letter of the colonial Agents-General on the subject of the proposed annexation in the Pacific. The reply is deemed unsatisfactory. Earl Derby admits the care and ability displayed in the preparation of the historical statement, which was referred to the consideration of Sir Arthur Gordon and the Admiralty. Earl Derby donbta whether so much importance'' attaches in Australia regarding the claims of foreign Pdwers as the Agents-General apprehend. Samoa and Tonga have been long recognised as independent, and, moreover, France since 1878 had respected the independence of the New Hebrides, though the position of. the latter in relation to foreign Powera cannot be ignored. Deferring to thq Solomon Islands, Earl Derby expresses the opinion that the Colonial Governments have hardly considered the responsibility attaching to their assumption. The Imperial Government is not satisfied that the annexation is necessary or justifiable. His Lordship says he has nothing to add concerning New Guinea, and concludes by stating that if the Colonial Governments desire to bear the cost of measures proposed in the Agents-Generals* memorandum, and will confer and make a proposal concerning the other islands not subject to treaty, such proposal will receive the attention of the Governments Ihe Standard considers the danger of foreign convict establishments in the Pacific as sufficient to justify the attitude of the Colonies in regard to annexation, and condemns Lord Derby’s despatch as cold, curt, and unsympathetic... .The Colonies are only asking what is virtually essential to their welfare, and this the Government, with gratuitous unkindneas, refuses to give them on account of political pedantry.