Lord Derby and Annexation.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 87, 31 January 1885, Page 6

Lord Derby and Annexation.

Ji-'tho statement cabled elsewhere represents tho mind of Earl- Scrby the annexation question, tho Imperial GovevtuKcnt arc not unwilling to undertake farther responsibilities in the South Pacific so long as the colonies will pay the piper. This is a very good way to test tho sincerity of Australia in its demands for annexation. It is a very easy and ploasant thing to hurry England into heavy responsibilities for unprofitable possessions which Australians deem necessary for their security and peaco of mind ; but 'When they, as taxpayers, arc asked to bear the cost of governing these territories thoir views may become modified. Considerable roluctance was shown in furnishing the guarantee of £15,000 for New Guinea, and the demand for aninoreaso met with a positive refn?al. If the colonies are to bear the cost, however, they will naturally expect to have the management and patronage. The Board of Advice representing the views of the contributing colonies, appointed in connection with General Scratchley's rule over Now Guinea, will not suffice, and in. the long run, Sir George Grey's bill, granting freedom of action to individual colonies, will probably be found to cause less friction and produce tho best results. Tho colonies will then understand what they are about, and extravagant schemes are sure to be brought within moderate bounds when passing through the fires of a colonial legislature. The colonies are, as a rule, too heavily weighted with pressing home work to find money for the government and development of distant territories. Nevertheless, tho arrangement by which tho colonies find and England spends tho money on these undertakings cannot, in tho nature of things, long continue without leading to disputes and bickerings. Tho singular^ heavy cost of the limited administration originally proposed by the Colonial Office for New Guinea has already beon challenged, and the annual votes will become burdensome to a Treasurer who is harassed with the task of bringing the expenditure of his colony within the revenue.