THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1015, 3 December 1883, Page 2

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. —COPYRIGH f. ] Sydney, Saturday,

The report of the Sub committee of Premiers, covering a series of resolutions on the subject of annexation, was laid before the Conference this morning, but the discussion of the report was deferred until Monday. The Conference to-day has been discussing the question of the constitution of the Federal Council. [Received Deo. 3, 11.30 am j {j SYDNEY, To-day. The following is the report of the Sub-Committee of Premiers, as amended by the Convention on Saturday, and which will probably be adopted to-day: —“ (i) In the opinion of the Convention the further acquisition of or dominion by any foreign power of any islands in the Western Pacific would be highly detrimental to the future safety and prosperity of British dependencies in Australasia, and injurious to the interests of the whole of the British Empire. (2) Having regard to the geographical position of New Guinea, the rapid growth in British trade, and enterprise in the Torres Straits, the certainty that New Guinea will shortly be inhabited by many adventurous British subjects and others, and the inadequacy of the existing laws regulating their relations with the natives, the Convention, while recognising the responsibility of extending the boundaries of the British Empire, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should be taken immediately so as'roost conveniently and effectually to secure the incorporation with the British Empire of so much of New Guinea as is not claimed by Holland. (3) Although the understanding arrived at in 1878 between Great Britain and France, recognising the independence of the New Hebrides, precludes the Convention from making any recommendations respecting those islands, the Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that such understanding shall be embodied in a definite and permanent engagement in order to secure the islands against foreign domination. The Convention also trusts that Her Majesty’s Government will avail themselves of any opportunity for negotiations with the French Government with the object of securing the control of the New Hebrides in the interests ot Australasia. (4). All the Governments represented at the Convention undertake to submit and recommend to their respective Pailtaments measures such as may be necessary for defraying, in proportion to the population, such share of the cost of carrying out the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty’s Government will require. (5) The Convention protests in the strongest manner against the declared intention of the French Government to transport a large number of relapsed criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific, and urges her Majesty’s Government to employ every means to prevent the adoption of measures so disastrous, in the interests of Australasia. (6) The Convention expresses a confident hope that no penal settlement for the reception of European criminals will continue long to exist in the Pacific, and invites Her Majesty’s Government to make to the French Government such serious representation as may be deemed expedient. (7) That these resolutions be communicated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for submission to Her Majesty’s royal consideration, if such action is thought proper, with the view to effect the earnest desire of the loyal subjects of Australasia.” Mr Griffith, Premier of Queensland, has tabled a series of resolutions on the subject of the institution of a Federal Council.

It has transpired that at Saturday’s meeting of the Conference, Mr Stuart and Mr Service spoke in favor of limited action in regard to a Federal Council with the view to establish the necessary machinery. It is probable that a committee will be appointed to draft a final resolution.

All the delegates made an excursion to Clotbarf, down the harbor, on Saturday at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Set vice, in a speech on the occasion, said the Convention was making satisfactory progress.