SECOND EDITION. THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1120, 3 December 1883, Page 3

SECOND EDITION. THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

The Result of the I>oliberations.

[REUTER —•COPYRIGHT, j

SYDNEY, This day. Following is the report of the sub committee of Premiers as amended bj' the Convention on Saturday and which will probably be adopted to-dny. First, in the opinion of the Convention farther 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 interest of the whole British Empire. Second, having regard to the geographical position of New' Guinea, the rapid extension of British trade and enterprise in Torres Straits and (ho certainly that New Guinea will shortly be inhabited by many adventurers, British subjects, and others, and the inadequacy of existing laws rcgulatmg their relations with the natives, this Convention, while recognising the responsibilitj- of extending the boundaries of the British Empire, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should bo taken immediately, so as most conveniently and effectually to secure incorporation with 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, the Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that such understanding bo embodied in a definite 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 ~egotiating with the French Government with the object of securing control of the New Hebrides. Fourth, in the interests of Australasia 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 protests in (he strongest manner agniii't the declared intention of the French Government to transport a large number of relapsed criminals to French possessions in the Pacific and urges Her Majesty’s Government: to employ every means to prevent the adoption of a measure so disastrous to the interests of Australasia; Sixth, the Convention expresses a confidential 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 representations as maj' be deemed expedient. Seventh, That these resolutions be communicated to the Secretary of State for the Colonics for submission to Her Majesty for the Royal consideration of such action as may be thought proper with a view to effect the earnest desire of her loyal subjects in Austialasia. 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 spoke in favour of limited action in regard to a Federal Council with a view to establish the necessary machinery. It is probable that a committee will be appointed to draft the final resolutions.

All the delegates made an excursion to Clontarf down the harbour on Saturday, on the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Service, in a speech on (he occasion, said the Convention was making satisfactory progress.