The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1883. The Annexation Question.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1100, 15 November 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas, et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1883. The Annexation Question.

The Australasian colonies have been very naturally incensed at the manner in which their proposals for annexing some of the islands in the South Pacific have been met by the Imperial authorities, but when we consider the ignorance which prevails in England concerning her antipodean possessions, we can conceive a reason, if not an excuse, for Earl Dkrby’s obstinacy. A specimen of the kind of argument which is looked upon as Gospel in certain not uninfluential quarters lies before us, and as it affords an example of the harm really well-meaning people can do, we intend to say a few words concerning it. The article in question was published some little time back in a journal bearing the somewhat grandiose title of the London Hetald of Peace and International At titration, which is issued by a society having the worthy, though chimerical, object of bringing about the millenium by the establishment of a universal peace. It is the peculiar characteristic of these so-called “ philanthropists ” who most do congregate within the walls of Exeter Hall to take a specially kindly interest in the colored races. The terrible misery existing in the black slums of the great metropolis concerns them not, but let the word be spoken of the needs of a “ nigger ” tribe and a society will instantly be formed to send help to the benighted heathens in far-off foreign lands. We shall probably find in this a reason for the interest taken in the New Guinea annexation question. The Peace Society cares nothing about the matter so far as it affects the countries concerned, but it has heard something about some shady transactions of the Q ueens l an d planters in regard to what is euphemistically termed “ recruiting labor,” and has accordingly raised its voice in reprobation of what it considers the inauguration of a system of slavery. To do the Hetald justice, that journal admits that the danger would be great to the colonies were France to establish convict stations in the Pacific, and it is admitted that there is cause for the alarm felt in Queensland. “ But on the other hand,” the article goes on to say, “it is to be clearly borne in mind that Queensland, in particular, has shown herself very unworthy of any further encouragement to territorial extension or influence over the adjacent islands of the Pacific, inasmuch as her own example in those regions has been very pernicious, and has ledj.to numerous armed reprisals for the outrages perpetrated by the trading and kidnapping crews who have for years past been recruiting ‘laborers,’ or in other words slaves, for the Queensland plantations.” It would be idle to deny that there is not some justification for the assertion that nefarious transactions have taken place in connection with the labor traffic, but such transactions have been in direct contravention of the law. Only those who are wilfully blind would think of saddling the sins of a few upon the whole colony, and the following sentence is sufficient to show the spirit which actuates fanatics when they take up a question of this kind:—“As to the slaughter of New Guinea, aborigines, that would probably be a matter for absolute satisfaction to the colonists.” Such an assertion as this is an insult to the colony. One of the chief reasons Queensland has for desiring the annexation of New Guinea is that she may possess more real power over the island, and thus prevent the unholy labor traffic which jis now being carried on in spite of legislation of the most stringent sort. However, we may rely that the whole question will be discussed from every point of view atlthe intercolonial conference, and it is to be hoped that Earl Derby will listen to the advice of those who are capable of giving an opinion, and not be led away by the ravings of a’ society, which sees only in the movement a developmeut of what is called the “jingo” spirit.

At the Police Court this morning before R. Alcorn, Esq. ~T.P., Robert Gibb was brought up charged with being drunk in a public place. As there were four other convictions for the same offence against the accused he was fined 10j or 48 hours. John Murphy alias Dublin was charged with drunkenness and riotous conduct, and was fined 40s with the alternative of three days’ imprisonment. A first offender was discharged with a c ution.

Mr W. de B. Compton, late Clerk to the Mount Hutt Road Board, was arrested yesterday on a warrant, and was brought up at the R. M. Court this morning, before R. Alcorn, Esq., J.P., charged with embezzling L2 5i belonging to the Ashburton County Council, the same leing public money. Mr O. \V. Purnell appeared to prosecute, and asked for a remand to enable witnesses to appear. The accused was remanded till Wednesday next, bail being allowed —himself in LIOO and two sureties of LSO each.

At a meeting of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday the Master of the Ashburton Home re- [ ortly forty-seven inmates. A report respecting one of the inmates of the Home was referred to the Committee. The resignation of the Master and Matron of the Home at Ashburton was received. It was resolved that the Committee of the Home be requested to select some persons for recommendation to the Board for appointment as Master and Matron, the selected persons to be without children, if possible.

At a meeting of the V. esleyan Church Finance Conference held in Christchurch yesterday, the Rev 0. H. Standage, and Messrs 0. Dixon and H. M. Jones attended as delegates from the the Ashburton district. The Rev C. H. Standage, in making application for a grant-in-aid of enlarging the Willowby Church, stated that the church had been erected little more than a year, but such had been the success which had followed their work in that district, that the place was far too small to accommodate those who desired to worship there. It was decided that the whole cost of the undertaking would be defrayed. The following amount was recommended from the loan fund Ashburton, L4OO, for parsonage. The monthly meeting of the Borough School Committee took place on Tuesday evening, the members present being— Messrs J. Orr (in the chair), Sparrow, T. Sealy, Mayo, 6. W. Andrews, St. Hill and Roddin. The master’s report showed a great improvement in the attendance at school, and it was decided to allow those children at present on the register, who were above the regulation age, to remain in the school. A lengthy discussion arising out of a complaint made by Mr Roberts to the Secretary, to the effect that his daughter had been sent home on the dny of the examination, and was debarred from being presented with the other pupils took place, and it was decided to leave over a further consideration of the matter until after the Inspector’s report was received. A letter was read from Mr R. S. Bean, complaining that the teachers had to go to the Secretary’s office every month to receive their salaries, and it was resolved that the salaries be paid' by the Secretary at the school building. St. Hill gave notice of the following motion —“ That it be a recommendation to the Board that necessity exists for the erection of a side school in the suburbs, say, in Hampstead or Trevorton.” It was decided to recommend Mr Pole for the position of second master and Mr Gilboy as third master ; and after the appointment of a Visiting Cammittee for the month the meeting adjourned.

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