AUSTRALIAN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 16, 1 December 1883, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

(by eleotbio teleghaph—copyright.) [Reuter’s Telegram.] MELBOURNE WOOL SALKS. Melbourne, Nov. 29. At the wool auctions to-day, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (Limited) offered 3000 bales, the bulk of which sold at satisfactory prices. A parcel of superior greasy wool brought 15fd. Theie was a large attendance of buyers, and brisk competition. Good qualities firm at about same prices as last sale ; inferior and faulty wools rather lower. The catalogue was fairly representative. Arrived, last evening ; The Orient steamship Liguria, from Plymouth October 21st. The overland telegraph line between Adelaide and Port Darwin is interrupted, The Marquis of Normanby leaves on Monday next on a visit to Adelaide. His Excellency will proceed by H.M.B. Nelson.

ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

(Per United Press Association.) Sydney, Nov. 29. It has been definitely decided by the Convention that members of the Press be excluded. Un the question being put to the vote, Victoria and New Zealand delegates were in favor of the admission of the Press, but the other delegates voted against it.

The Convention decided that the memorial prepared by the European residents in Fiji may be presented by the member for consideration at this morning’s sittings. Mr. Service’s proposals in favor of annexation of vhe Pauilic Islands will ba discussed at great length. At this auernoon’s sitting of the Conference, a long discussion took place on the drift of a series of resolutions tabled by Mr .Service, favoring the annexation of New Guinea, New Hebrides, and other islands in the Pacific The text of the resolution is withheld from the Press Further discussion on Mr Service’s motion stands adjourned till to-morrow.

The following information has transpired regarding the series of resolutions tabled oy Mr. at the Conference ;—

First. —That it is necessary to prevent New Guinea and the islands from the equator to the New Hebrides falling into the hands of foreign Powers. ISeuund. —Tnat, to preclude such disastei, it is desirable to urge the Imperial Government to annex and establish a Protectorate over those islands.

Third. —ihat the colonies are willing to bear a reasonable proportion of costs, each annexing or protecting.

Fourth. --That the colonies protest against the proposal ol the French Government in regard to recedioisi (deport of criminals), and appeal to the Imperial Government to prevent such a dire calamity as is threatened.

Fifth. —That in view of the foregoing and many other important matters, the time has arrived for binding the colonies in a federal union on such matters as the Convention may dctermiLC. It is understood that there is a divergence of views among the delegates on the question of annexation, some being in favour to limit action only. Mr Griffith (Premier of Queenland) has tabled a series of resolutions similar to those of Mr Service, but limiting to New Guinea, and urging the immediate establishment of British jurisdiction there. Mr Dailey, Attorney-General of New South Wales, proposed an amendment on Mr Griffith’s motion. The amendment is similar to the first and second clauses of Mr Service’s motion; but omits others. Mr Whitaker has strongly advocated that the Conference should define relations of the Navigators aud Friendly Islands towards Australia.