AUSTRALIAN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3862, 3 December 1883, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright,

[Reuters Telegrams.]

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE

(Received December 1, 4.30 p.m.) SYDNEY.

Saturday

The report of the sub-committee of Premier's coA-ering the series of resolutions on tho subject of annexation Avas laid on the table of tho Conference this morning, but the discussion on the report Avas deferred until Monday. Tho Conference to-day has been discussing the question of the constitution of a Federal Council.

(Received December 3, 11.30 a.m.) This day

The following is tho report of the subcommittee of Premiers as amended by tho Convention on Saturday, and Avhich will probably be adopted to-day :— First, in the opinion of the Convention, the further acepii.sition of or dominion by any foreign poAver on any islands in the AVestcrn Pacific Avould be highly detrimental to the future safety and prosperity of (ho British dependencies in Australasia and injurious to the interest of the Avhole British Empire. Second, Inning regard to tho geographical position of New Guinea and the rapid extension of British trade and enterprise in Torres Straits, and the certainty that Now Guinea will .shortly be inhabited by many adventurous British subjects anel others, and tho inadccpiacy of the existing laws regulating their relations Avith the natives, tho Convention, Avhilo recognising the responsibility of extending the boundaries of the British Empire, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should be taken immediately so as most conveniently and effectually to secure tho incorporation Avith the British Empire of so much of New Guinea as is not claimed by Holland. Third, 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 recommendation respecting those islands, tho Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that such understanding be embodied iv a defmatc 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 of negotiating Avith the French Government Avith the object of securing the control of tho New Hebrides in the interests of Australasia. Fourth, all the Governments represented at the Convention undertake to submit and recommend to their respective Parliaments measures such as may be necessary for defraying in proportion to population such share of the cost of carrying out the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty's Government will require. Fifth, the Convention protest in tho 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 to the interests of Australia. Sixth, the Convention expresses a confident hope that no penal settlement for the reception of European criminals Avill continue to long exist in the Pacific, and invites Her Majesty's Government to make to the French Government such serious representations as will be deemed expedient. Seventh, that those resolutions be communicated to the Secretary of State for tho Colonies for submission to Her Majesty's royal consideration of such action as will be thought proper, with the view to effect the eat nest desire of her loyal subjects in Australasia. Mr Griffiths, the Premier of Queensland, has tabled a scries 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 aud Mr Service spoke in favor of limitcdaction Avith regard to a Federal Council Avith a view to establish the necessary machinery. It is probable that a committee Avill bo appointed to draft the final resolutions. All the delegates made an excursion to Clcntarf, down the harbor, on Saturday. At the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Service, in his speech on the occasion, said the Convention Avas making satisfactory progress.

(Received December 3, 1.20 p.m.) A sculling race took place on Saturday afternoon on the Parramatta river between Trickett and Rush for £200 a side. Trickett avou easily by several lengths.