THE ANNEXATION QUESTION.— REPLY OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE TO AGENTS-GENERAL'S MEMORANDUM.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3798, 17 September 1883, Page 3

THE ANNEXATION QUESTION.— REPLY OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE TO AGENTS-GENERAL'S MEMORANDUM.

ACCIDENT TO LAYCOCK, THE SCULLER. MELBOURNE. Saturday. The Agent-General in London telegraphed to Mr Service that the Colonial Offico has replied to tho joint letter of the Colonial Agents-General on the subject of tho proposed annexations in tho Pacific. The reply is deemed unsatisfactory. Lord Derby admits tho 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 doubts whether so much ignorance prevails in Australia regarding the claim of foreign powers as the Agents-General apprehend. Samoa and Tonga have been long recognised as independent, and, moreover, France, since 1878, had respected the independence of tho New Hebrides, though the position of tho latter in relation to the foreign powers cannot bo ignored. Referring- to the Solomon Islands Lord Derby expresses the opinion that the Colonial Governments had hardly considered the responsibility attaching to their assumption, and the Imperial Government is not satisfied that the annexation is necessary and justifiable. His Lordship says he has nothing to add concerning New Guinea, and concludes by stating that if the Colonial Governments desire to bear tho cost of the measures proposed in the Agents-General's memorandum, and will confer and make a proposal concerning the other islands not subject to treaty, such proposal will receive the attention of the Government.