THE AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 28, 15 December 1883, Page 3

THE AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE.

Sybnwy, November 29. This afternoon it ha v s been definitely dccidod by the convention that the members of the Press be excluded. The question was put to the vote, when it was found that the Victorian and New Zealand delegates were in favour of tho admission of the Pressj but the other delegates voted against it. The convention has decided that the memorial prepared by the European residents in Fiji may be presented by a member for consideration at the morning's sitting. At the afternoon sitting of the Conference a long discussion, took place on the draft of a series of resolutions tabled by Mr Service, favouring the annexation of New Guinea, Now Hebrides, and other islands of the Pacific. The text of the resolution was withhold from the Press. Further discussion on Mr Service's motion stands adjourned till to-morrow. Svdnky, Novembor 30. The following information has transpired regarding the Aeries of resolutions tabled by Air Service at the Conference :—: — Tho first is: "That it is necessary to prevent Now Guinea and tho islands from the Equator to the New Hebrides falling into tho hands of foreign powers. " Second: "That to preclude such a disaster, it is desirable to urge the Imperial Government to annex or establish a protectorate over those islands." Third : "That tho Colonies are willing to bear a reasonable proportion of the cost of uch annexing or proctectorate, " Fourth : " That the colonies protest against the proposal of the French Government with regard to Recidivist, and appeal to the Imperial Government to prevent .such a dire calamity as is threatening." Fifth : " That in view of many other im portant matters, the time has arrived for binding the colonies together in Federal union on such matters as the Convention may determine." It is understood that there is a divorgence of \iows among the delegates on the question of annexation, some being in favour of limited action only. Mr Gri fHth, Piemier of Queensland, has tabled a series of resolutions similar to those of Mr Service, but limiting action to New Guinea, and trying the immediate establishment of British jurisdiction thoro. Mr Dalley, Attorney-Genoral for New South Wales, proposed an amendment on Mr GrinHths's motion. The amendment is similar to the first and second clauses of Mr Service's motion. It is strongly advocated that the Conference should d- fine the relations of the Navigators and Friendly Islands towards Australia. Sydney, Dccembor 1, — A report of a subcommitteo of Premiers, covering a series of resolutions on tho subject of annexation, was laid on the table of the Conference this mornine, but the discussion of the report was deterred until Monday. The delegates to-day have been discussing the question of the constitution of the Federal Council. Tho following is the report of the subCommittee of Premiers as amended by the Convention on Saturday, and which will probably be adopted by it : — Fii ->t : In the opinion of the Convention furthei ucquibttion of or dominion by any foreign power on any islands in the Western Pacific, would be highly detrimental to the future safety and prosperity of the 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 ext<'n>ion of Biitish trade and enterprise in Torieo Straits, the certainty that Now Guinea will shortly be inhabited by many adventurous British subjects and other.-, and tho inadequacy of the exist ing lawj., regulating their relations with the native*-, the Convention, while 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 the incorporation with the Biitis.li Empire of so much of New Guinea a.s is not claimed by Holland. Thiid : Although the understanding arrived at iii IS7B between Great Britain and France recognising the independence of the New Hebrides precludes the Convention fi om making any recommendation respecting these islands, the Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that' such understanding be embodied in a definite, permanent engagement with a view to secure the inlands against foreign domination. The Convention also iriihts that Her Majesty's Government will avail themselves of any opportunity of negotiating with the French Government with the object of securing the control of the Now Hebrides in .the interests of Australasia. Fourth : All the Governments represented at the Convention undertake te submit and recommend to their respective parliaments measures such as may be necessary for defraying, in proportion te population, such share of tho cost oi carrying out the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty's Government will require. Fifth : The Convention protests in the strongest manner against the declared in tention of the French Government te 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 pre vent the adoption of measures so disastrous to the interests of Australasia. Sixth : The Convention expresses tht confident hope that no penal settlement foi the reception of European criminals wil continue long to exist in the Pacific, ant invites Her Majesty's Government to make to the French Government such seriouf representations as maybe deemed expedient j Seventh : That these resolutions be com ! municated to tho Secretary of State for the Colonies for submission to Her Majesty's royal consideration of such action as maj be thought proper, with a view to effect th< earnest desire of the loyal subjects in Aus tralasia. Sydney, December 3. It has transpired that at morning* sitting of the Conference Mr Stuart de tailed at length the terms of the under standing which exists between England anc France regarding the New Hebrides. Mr Stuart further notified that M; Dalley, Attorney General, of New Wales was preparing a scheme for the reductioi charges on telegrams between Australii and Europe, which would be submitted t< the Conference. - Mr Service presented a memorial on thi subject of federation, y;hich had beei drawn up by European residents in Fiji. ', Mr Dibbs, Colonial Treasurer of Nev South Wales, gave notice of a motion ii favou,r. of adopting federal quarantine a Albany (West Australia), Thursday Islanc (Queensland), and Auckland (New Zea land). , A meeting of the sub-committee o Premiers was, held this afternoon. It ii understood that' an agreement has *beei arrived at on the .subject of annexation which is considered satisfactory by ,Mi Service, the mover of the first; series o: resolutions,

Mr Griffiths, Premier of Queensland, tabled a series of resolutions on the subject of the institution of the Federal Council. It has transpired that at Saturday's meeting of the^ Conference Messrs Stuart and Service spoke in favour of limitod action in regard to a federal council. With a view to establish the uecessary machinery it is probable that a committee will bo appointed to draft the final resolutions. All the delegates made an excursion to Clontarf, down the harbour.on Saturday, at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Service, in a speech on tho occasion, said the Convention was making satisfactory progress. Mr Whitaker laid on the table certain amendments to the report of the committee, on the annexation question. They make no substantial change in the report. Mr Fraser presented a note from Mr Broome, Governor of West Australia, referring to, several points of federal interest, notably the question of cable communication with Ceylon. Mr Broome points out that communication by land telegraph with the coast of West Australia will soon be completod. The Conference adjourned at mid-day until to-morrow. Later. —The amendment proposed by Mr Whitaker to the report of the committee at the Conference consists of ten clauses, the main points being as follows : — It provides that the authority of Great Britain over the Pacific Islands may be established by cession, annexation, or by protectorate over the various isiands, as may be severally suitable, and that measures bo adopted to prevent interference by foreigners ; it recommends the annexation of New Guinea as far as that country is unclaimed by Holland ; it proposes that effective guarantees should be given by the Australasian Colonies for their share in the cost by Permanent Appropriation Acts according to population ; it declares that there is no intention of placing Britain in the position of hostility to foreigners in the Pacific. Messrs Stuart and Atkinson havo telegraphed to London details of tho matters now before the Conference.

Federation Agreed Upon. Meluouune, December 3.—The "Argus" has published a speoial telegram stating that the Convention has agreed to the principle of applying to the Imperial Government for an Enabling Act for the formation of a Federal Union of the Australian Colonies.