THE COST OF ANNEXATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 7

THE COST OF ANNEXATION.

A question' to be considered is whether die colonist^, if they li.ivo the w i!J, have also the means, either to take charge of an outlying territory or to reimburse the British Government tho exnens.M)C a protectorate. The Karl oL" Derby wa.i pie.ssed by the agents-general to <?tato what th'i cost of: a British administration would bo to the colonies, but he went no nearer in his reply th.in saying that fche^o expenses would bo " several thousands" per annum. The following return will show that an outlay of several tens of.' thousands, if such an expenditure were necessirv, could be lightly borne- by the Uolonics :—: —

Fiji is not included in tluso calculations wlii'-h dual with the colonies us thi-y stand to-day. A further idea of Australian resource-" may be gatlieiod iVuin thu tdllovviii^ litruics, which rc-i-er Lv the colouie.i aj u whule :—: — Imports £05,000,000 Exports X 61,000,000 Kail ways 7,700 uuli-s Horses l,:$U0,000 C.ittle 8,W0,0U0 Sheep 80,000,000 J.;uid under oultiv ition 7,500,000 acres

Colony. Revenue. I'opulalioa. Victoria Now South Wales New Zealaml South Australia, . Queensland Tasmania Western Australia £3,()00,000 7,000,000 •1,000,000 2,100,300 2,200,000 000,000 2oO,00() 930,000 8-30,000 o 10,000 310,003 280,000 130,000 31,000 C2L,0.}0,000 3,071. 000