LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 6 November 1883, Page 3

LONDON.

October 26

Lord Derby has written a letter to Mr Murray Smith explaining the reasons which induced the Imperial Government to refuse the petitions for annexation submitted on behalf of the Australian colonies. He refers to the Annexation and Federation Conference which is to bo held nt Sydney next month, and states that, should the conference unanimously affirm tho desirability of annexation in the direction proposed, the Imperial Government Avill be prepared to rc-cousider their decision. Lord Derby, however, declines to suggest the conditions under Avhich annexation should be effected, and expresses his inability to furnish an estimate of the expense involved in executing the proposals referred to in his despatch of the I lth July. October 28.

In spite of the prohibition issued by the Imperial Government against General Mclvcr attempting to further his scheme for the colonisation of Now Guinea, the promoter still continues making preparations for tho development of his proposal. He has now purchased a steamer for the transport of intending colonists to that country. The Marquis Tseng, tho Chinese Ambassador to Paris, has entered a _ formal protest against tho French making an attack upon the town of Backnit, Tonquin, at tho timo Avhen negotiations Averc pending between them and China Avith the view of a peaceable settlement of the Annam difficulty. It, is reported that Monsignor Capcl, the illustrious prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, is to be appointed to succeed the late Archbishop Vaughan at Sydney.

By Electric Teli.ora.pii.—Copyright,

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