The Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25. 1883. ANNEXATION OF NEW GUINEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 118, 25 April 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25. 1883. ANNEXATION OF NEW GUINEA.

It does not appear that the Home Cabinet are favourably disposed m reference to the action taken by the Queensland Government, m formally taking possession of New Guinea. By cable we learn that those influential journals, the Spectator, Saturday Ren view, standard, and Telegraph, all approve of the view that it will ba difficult to decline sanctioning the annexation of New Guinea if the A ustralian colonies really wish it to be annexed. The Spectator insists that New Guinea shall, however, be treated as a Crown Colony. Lord Carnarvon urges that the Colonies should bear the burthen of its mainten* *ance* 1 ord Derby has stated that the foreign powers contemplate annexing New Guinea. We also observe that m the House of Lords the -abject has occupied some attention. In a recent debate, which took place there on the question, Lord Carnarvon, formerly Secretary of State for the Colonies, m the course oi his speech indicated the motives which had prompted the recant I action of the Queensland Government. Lord Derby, m reply, stated that the matter had been brought under the notice of the Colonial Office months ag\j by Mr Thomas Archer, the Queensland A gent- General, who had advanced strong reasons for the annexation of the islands, and asked whether the Imperial Government would sanction, stating that Queensland was prepared to provide for the necessary expendi ure of governing the island, Sir Akthub Keknedy had been requested to repo t upon the question, and his despatches were still awaited. Lord Derby stated that the news that an agent of the Queensland Government had taken possession of the island had therefore caused great surprise, no pledge having been given that such action would be sanctioned. We are inclined to the opinion that it will be found that tbe Queensland Government has been m possession of certain information of a special character, wbish somewhat precipitated matters, and that the step taken will prove to have been perfectly justifiable and most probably also advisable and necessary. There have been certain explorations recently taking place there, and m some quarters the generally ' Considered premature annexation is associated with the result of these explorations. There can be no doubt New Guinea will be a fine colony some day, as it is known to have a large area of magnificent country , and is believed to be very rich m mineral resources and precious metals. In some parts the climate is unhealthy, principally along the coast line, and m the marshy tracts adjacent to the rivers* borne trouble, too, is anticipated with the Natives, which aie none too fri -nd.y disposed. It is just possible the rftitish Government were anythiug but eager for th-t annexation, as an m- 1 cieasa of colonial dependencies necessarily involve* additional cost of administration, and the contingency o. present and subsequent international complications, while extending the area of the vast territory " on which tbe sun never sets." It is quite probable, now that annexation has actually taken place, that venturesome spirits will be lound ready to embark m any colonizing expedition bound for the new land of which so little is accurately known,