The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3012, 19 February 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881.

It will be remembered that one of the first acts of the late Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney was tbe consideration of the state of affairs in the Pacific Islands, and the advantage accruing from the appointment of a High Commissioner. In the course of the discussion Mr Palmer moved, seconded by Mr Morehead, " That in the opinion of this conference it is desirable that a representation be made to Her Majesty the Queen, calling her attention to the lamentable state of affairs existing between tbe natives of many of the islands in the Pacific and the subjects of Her Majesty trading in those seas, more particularly since the appointment of a High Cmmissioner for the Pacific ; aud praying that Her Majesty will cause such action to bo taken as will prevent the recurrence of such outrages against life and property as have lately prevailed." After discussion, Mr Palmer's motion was postponed, and Mr Watson moved, seconded by Mr Giblin, " That a committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs Palmer, Berry, Dick, and Moore, to consider the matters involved in Mr Palmer's resolution, and to examine the papers relating to the appointment of the High Commissioner, and to report to this conference." In the course of a few days the committee brought up their report, but its adoption was postponed owing to the opposition of tbe Hon. Mr Dick, the New Zealand representative, and of Chief Justice Wrenfordsley, who declined to vote on an Imperial question. At the next sitting day it was resolved to adopt the following report: — " The committee have to report to the conference that, after careful consideration of the Imperial Acts on the subject of the protection of natives in tbe Pacific Islands, and having had before them the commission to Sir Arthur Gordon, the High Commissioner and Consul-General of the Western Pacific Islands, they have agreed to the following resolutions:— 1. That it is not desirable that the office

of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific Islands should be vested in the Governor of any of the Australasian Colonies. 2. That more effectual means should be devised for the punishment of natives of the said islands for any crimes or offences committed by them against British subjects. 3. That in the case of capital convictions by the High Commissioner's Court, appeal should be allowed to the Supreme Court of some one of the Australasian Colonies, to be selected by the High Commissioner. 4. That tbe more frequent visits of Her Majesty's ships among the islands would tend to lessen, in a great degree, the crimes now so prevalent." Mr Dick, Colonial Secretary of Nfe*v Zealand, dissented from the first resolution. Mr Palmer moved, seconded by Mr Moore, " That Her Majesty's Government be moved to take the necessary measures to give effect to the foregoing resolutions." Western Australia declined to vote, except on No. 2, which the representatives of that colony voted for. At the request of the conference, the chairman undertook to move His Excellency the Governor to communicate with Her Majesty's Government on the subject, and to forward the resolutions as agreed upon.