NEW GUINEA LAND GRANTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 331, 23 August 1898, Page 2

NEW GUINEA LAND GRANTS.

(by electric telegraph—copyright)

Sydney, Augujt 20. The conference of Premiers on the New Guinea land grab adopted a series of resolutions which will not lie made public till they are presented to the Government of Queensland. It is understood that the Premiers are unanimous in a protest against the grant as at present contemplated, the resolutions, as carried, embodying suggestions as to the future administration of New Guinea, on a more satisfactory basis than the presout one.

Auguse '2l

It has transpired that the Premiers' Conference decided to renew the protest respecting New Guinea, and to urge Mr Chamberlain to get the Queen to withhold her consent to the ordinance. Although the Queensland Premier has not signed the protest, he is in full accord with the decision. If the ordinance ia assented to, New South Wales and Victoria will probably withdraw their contributions. With regard to the future control of New Guinea, it is recommended that either the whole administration should rest with the Queensland Government or that _ the Imperial authorities should administer New Guinea as a Crown colony. It was decided that if the Imperial Government withdraw the subsidy to Merrie England, the New Guinea Government service vessel, New South Wales and Victoria will withdraw their contributions.