The Annexation Conference at Sydney.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4660, 11 December 1883, Page 2

The Annexation Conference at Sydney.

[Pee Pebss Association^

(Via the Bluff.")

Sydney, Nov. 28. - The Federation Convention commenced its sittings this morning, considerable opposition being shown by the Sydney delegates to giving the proceedings too much publicity ; in fact the attitude of ,New South Wales seeni* to be lukewarm

in the extreme. The New- South Wales Governmentdonotappeartoh.ave made the smallest demonstration over the matter, and they do not even propose to honor the visit of so many distinguished politicians by even adjourning Parliament. The delegates, so far,"have been left serenely alone by the local " big guns." Upon the arrival of the delegates thete was not even a member present to receive them, and they were allowed to find their way to their respective hotels as bestthey could. The impression left upon one's mind after conversation with a number of people, is that in Sydney a very lialf-hearted feeling exists over the Convention. They seem to regard tlie beneficial results likely to arise from the deliberations of the Convention as being very problematical, and chiefly calculated to benefit Victoria an! Queensland. There exists in Sydney a strong feeling of jealousy against their rival Victoria, and also a lurking suspicion that the latter is trying bard to gain some advantage over New South Wales, though no one has anything like a clear idea how this overreaching business is to be accomplished. The attitude of the Sydney press is decidedly unenthusiastic, and the papers devote the smallest possible amount of space to Convention matters.

The chief argument against Mr Service's motion for the admission of the press was urged by the Sydney delegates, who pointed out that their House was now in session, and that a publication of the reports might cause complications if members asked questions in the House relative to Convention business. Messrs Berry, Service, and Kerferd, from Victoria, and the Few Zealand delegates, strongly supported a motion to give full publicity to certain portions of the proceedings, but all the other delegates sided with Sydney, and the motion was lost by five colonies voting against two. The whole subject of Annexation was opened up, and generally discussed at length. Some excellent speeches were made, and much valuable and special information placed before the Convention. Every member spoke. The general tone of the speeches was decidedly favorable to a policy af Annexation, the only di» vergence seeming to arise from the ques* , tidn as to how far the policy was to be I applied. Some of the delegates, notably Queensland and New South Wales representatives, ranked themselves on the side of those who favored limited Annexation, as they believed that moderate demands would be favorably entertained by the Imperial authorities; they contended that what Victoria was striving for, was a too broad policy, and from that very fact, stood a danger of failing altogether. These objections seemed to have a great weight with some delegates. Mr Griffiths, who may be regarded as the leader of the limited Annexation section, laid great stress upon the risk they ran by asking for the Annexation of all the .islands of the pacific, and losing the more immediate object of the movement, viz., securing New Guinea. He said that he felt thoroughly confident thatif the Annexation of New Guinea was alone asked for, it. would be immediately obtained.—-Mr Whitaker supplied some interesting facts concerning the Navigator and Friendly Islands, and submitted resolutions affirming the desirability of these Islands being secured in the interest of Australasia.— -A broader and more comprehensive policy is not regarded favorably by the New South Wales delegates.' The position they take may be described in these few words : that whilst not entirely opposed to the general policy of annexation, they regard moderate demands as practicable, and easily to be attained without delay, wliereas a large scheme presents no prospect of a speedy solution.—On one point, the whole of the delegates are perfectly unanimous and firm; that is the transportation of French criminals. All the representatives have spoken warmly on this subject; they desire that nothing shall be left untried to; prevent the threatened possibility of the Australian Colonies being over-run by French convicts, and have urged that representations should be made to the English Government not to allow any such innovation as was proposed by the French Senate ; and, that the greatest precautions should be taken to secure the neutrality which pervades the group of islands, in order to prevent a repetition of the breach of faith on the part of France, which occurred in the case of the Loyalty Islands, upon which the French flag was hoisted. It was further argued that sending a large number of French criminals to French possessions in the Pacific was tantamount to a breach of the understanding arrived at between the two powers regarding the New Hebrides. In regard to the question of defraying tlje cqs(;s of governing the islands annexed, the delegates generally favored the idea that the colonies should not and would not shirk responsibility. In a vague manner, some speakers hinted at the desirability of es* tablishiug a Federal Council, and Mr Berry indipated that if annexation ensued, such a Council was an absolute necessity. Mr Stewart laid before the Convention the following resolution, passed at the Qongregation Union of N.S.W. last month, viz.:—"That in the opinion of this Union it is in the highest degree important, in the interest of peace and civil and religions freedom, thqt the soverejgnity of the British Empire should be paramount in the Southern Seas, and hence that tho occupation of New Guinea and New Hebrides by any other power woiild be inimipa! to fcjie future welfare of the colonies of Australasia, and tlie native' races inhabiting these seas." Mr Stewart also submitted a letter from Mr Henry Cave, Chairman of public meetings held at Levuka, Fiji, on the 15th Sept. and Bth Nov., embodying a series of resolutions passed at those meetings. The writer stated that a numerously attended public meeting was held at Levuka on the date fjrst^ named, with tho object of taking action to express the strong and growing feeling of discontent at the mode in which the Government of the colony was administered. A local committee was elected to give effect to the resolutions then passed, and at the same time a number of gentlemen resident in Australia were appointed to represent the colo* nists in Fiji in the furtherance of the object sought to be obtained. A petition to the Queen, and a memorial to the Convention were prepared and were received with almost universal support throughout the colony. At the second public meeting resolutions were passed to the effect that as the Government was not in a position to send representatives to the Convention,, a request should be made that the representatives appointed by the white inhabitants of Fiji at the public meeting at Levuka, on 15th Sept., should be allowed to speak in support of the memorial. Another resolution expressed the hops that, notwithstanding the

presence in Sydney of a a quasi official representative of the Government, the Fiji memorialists would not be debarred from giving expression before the Convention of the feelings of the white inhabitants of Fiji with regard to /the present political condition of the colony; the tbird delegate to co-operate with other gentlemen selected as a committee who represented the colonists of Fiji in Australia. The gentlemen forming the committee referred to are—Dr Chalmers, Messrs Leef, McEvoy, Langton, Cqx, Thomson, and Smith.

A memorandum was laid on the table by Governor Dcs Vceux to the following effect:—" That the future of New Guinea, and Polynesia, with reference to the question of Australian Annexation or a Protectorate, be considered; that the attain- i ment of the object desired by Australasia might be made to conserve with the best interests of the Islands. Indeed the view is not unnatural. The reluctance of the Imperial Government to undertake the additional responsibility was referred to, and the speaker stated he had formed an opinion that control on the part of the confederated colonies over these Islands afforded only a reasonable prospect of material and a moral advantage to them, and it was only a rational hope that they would for centuries to come prove any substantial benefit to the world at large. He gave lengthy reasons for the conclusion, the chief of which was the fact that there was no probability of Polynesia being closely populated by white men, because they must necessarily confine themselves to the cultivation of tropical products. Governer Dcs Voeux thought that if it was so indicated by Lord Derby's recent despatch, England will make a small addition to the British. Squadron in Western Pacific, and in connection with this policy, Australia could not expect more as regards the policy pursued. No interference in tribal warfare should be permitted, but commissioners should always show themselves ready to offer friendly arbitration in native disputes, so as to show that their policy was one of peace. The High Commissioners and Chief Commissioner should reside in Australia, probably Melbourne, where the Chief Commissioner would be comparatively free from the pressure of interests at variance, and with, the policy pursued. The resolutions on Annexation which were tabled on Thursday were further discussed. Mr Dibbs spoke, but his utterances were not calculated to promote the harmony of the proceedings ; he strongly supported the narrow policy, which seemingly finds so much favor with Queenland, namely, confine the Annexation movement to New Guinea. His speech might be described as a violent one, and its burthen was that he saw there was no good in what came from Victoria. No attempt was made to reply to his harangue, and one can easily see how a few opposing representatives having a voice at the Convention might very easily nullify all the good results which might follow the deliberations of delegates. In anticipation of the dangers apprehended from an influx of French criminals, it is now mentioned that some difficulties and complications might arise from a new quarter, in which sub-obstacles were not anticipated. The position of Samoa and neighboring islands has been brought into prominence since the delegates have met, and a highly instructive discussion has proceeded, and some delegates came prepared with special information of great value. One new point raised is, that some action should be taken to guard against the probability of filibustering expeditions, which might be founded under the protection of a charter granted to a company, ostensibly with a design of carrying on a monopoly of legitimate trade, but which might only prove a guise, and not add to to the security of commerce and free intercourse in the Pacific seas. —The discussions by the Convention have already been productive of one undeniable good, viz., shedding a fierce light upon the whole of the colonial surroundings. Sidney, Dec. % The Convention sat yesterday forenoon, but very little progress was made. The committee of Premiers submitted a draft resolution with reference to annexation.— A discussion was initiated upon Mr Griffiths' resolution dealing with the creation of a federal Council, and advocating the establishment of a Council to deal with a limited number of subject's—Mr Service ! took up a larger position, although he indipafcecl that any federal Council, however limited its scope upon initiation, would receive his hearty support.—The proposed Council is to deal with such Intercolonial subjects as may be remitted by different Legislatures.—Mr Dalley gave notice of •motion, proposing, that a "cable be laid between Australia and San Francisco via New. Guinea, Fiji, and Honolulu, the expense to be borne by the Australian Governments. Amongst the correspondence received was a petition froiq. the Re?, -r? Patterson, | senioß missionary at New Hebrides, pro- ! testing in.the name of the New Hebrides Mission and natives against France being allowed, in accordance with hep new eon* riot law, to transport thousands of her lowest criminals and convicts to the South Sea Islands, as it would not only destroy the work of christianising and.civilising the islanders, but extermina^a them and be a prolific source of evil to our Australian colonies. The prayer of the petition was that New Hebrides, New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, the Solomon Group, and all the annexed islands, between Queensland and Fiji should be annexed by the British Government. A letter was read from Mr Haymon, Secretary of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce enclosing resolutions passed by the Quamber in favor of a reduction of cable charges. A communi* cation was also received from Messrs j Bennefc and Heaton on the same subject,, and suggesting the construction of a second cable, the intended length being 12,003 miles, and the cost £3,000,C00. Charges on the line to be 2s 6d per word, and the minimum charge for eight, words £1. They urged that the rates- sug» gested would cause the cable to be more generally useful. — Two small steamers conveyed a picnic party of Con» vention members, which numbered ICO. Luncheon was served, when a number of speeches were made. Mr Joseph, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. The usual loyal toasts having been duly honored, that of V The Ministry of New South Wales" was proposed. Mr Stuart, in responding, referred to the present time, when thero wci;o assembled in Sydney a member of the ablest of Australasian politicians—an occasion which would be the greatest on record in Australian annals. The whole Australasian Group was represented, and whatever the immediate effects of the Convention might be,. the ultimate result would undoubtedly be memorable

in the history of the colony. As President of the Convention he knew that the desire of the whole of the deles gates was to advance the interests of Australasia, and he anticipated that great benefits would accrue from these representatives exchanging their views upon important intercolonial subjects. Mr Dalley also responded, and in doing so, remarked that he hoped to see federation an accomplished fact, and that the fiscal policy of Victoria would not be any obstacle in the way of an agreement between that colony and New South Wales. Reference had been made to the expulsion of the Press, but it; would, he thought, have been undesirable to have given full publicity to the proceedings. They were now on the eve of obtaining some substantial results, which might not have been so readily arrived at had the Press been admitted to the Conference. The delegates hoped that in a few days they would be able to show that they had done good work. The toast of " Our Guests " was then duly honored. Major Atkinson responded, and said the occasion -upon which they had met was the greatest in. the history of "the colonies.' He believed nofc only in Federation, but he regretted to say their feelings were too much of a locfi]^. character. There was a great future before them. This was his first visit to New South Wales and Victoria, and he now saw that practically they were in ignorance of each other's affairs, notwithstanding their facilities for communication ' with each other,