Lord Derby and Annexation.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5467, 27 January 1885, Page 2

Lord Derby and Annexation.

If the statement cabled yesterday represents tho mind of Earl Dorby on the annexation question, tho Imperial Government are not unwilling to undertake further responsibilities in the South Pacific so long as the colonies will pay tho pipeil. This is iv very good way to test tho sincerity of Australia in its demands for annexation. It is a very easy and ploasant thins to hurry England into heavy responsibilities for unprofitable possessions which Australians deem necessary for thoir security and peace of mind ; but whon thoy, as taxpayers, aro asked to boar the cost of governing these territories thoir views may become modified. Considerable reluctanco was shown in furnishing tho guarantee of 115,000 for Now Guinea, and tho domand for an incronso mot with a positive refusal. If tho eolotiioa are t» boar the co.«t, however, thoy will naturally oxpoct to havo tho management and patronage. The Board of Advice representing tho views of tho contributing colonies, appointed in connection with General Scrntchley's ruloover Now (luincn, will not su(lice, and in tho long run, Sir Oeorgo Grov'd bill, granting freedom of action to individual oolonios, will probably bo found to cause less friction and produce tho boat result*. Tlio colonies will then understand what they mo about, and extravagant schemes are suro to bo brought within moderate bounds when passing through tho fires of a colonial legislature. Tho colonies aro, as a rule, too heavily woightod with pressing homo work to lind money for tho government ami development of distant territories. Nevertheless, the arrangement by which the colonies lind and England spends tho money on theso undertakings cannot, in tho lmturo of things, long continuo without loading to disputes and bickerings. Tho singularly heavy cost of tho limited administration originally proposed by tho Colonial OHieo for Now Guinea has already been challenged, and tho annual votes will bocomo burdensome to a Treasurer who is harassed with tho task of bringing the expenditure of his colony within the rovonuo.