THE SYDNEY CONFERENCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3869, 11 December 1883, Page 4

THE SYDNEY CONFERENCE.

Sydney, November 28

The Federation Convention commenced its sittings this morning, considerable opposition being shown by the Sydney delegates in giving the proceedings too much publicity. The attitude of New South Wales seems to bo lukewarm in the extreme. The New South Wales Government do not appear to have made the smallest demonstration over the matter, and they do not propose to honor the visit of so many distinguished politicians by adjourning . Parliament. The delegates so far have been left severely alone by the local big guns. Upon the arrival of the delegates there ww not even a member present to receive them, and they were allowed to find their way to thoir respective hotels as best they could. The impression left upon one's mind after a conversation with a number of local people is that in Sydney a very half-hearted feelin" , exists over the convention ; they seem to regard tho beneficial results likely to arise from the deliberations of the Convention as being very problematical, and chiefly calculated to benefit Victoria and Queensland. There exists in Sydney a strong feeling of jealousy against her great rival Victoria, and also a lurking suspicion that she is trying hard to gain an advantage over Now South Wales, though no one has a clear idea how this ovoiweaehing business is to bo accomplished. The attitude of tho Sydney Press is decidedly notenthusiastic, and the papers devote the smallest amount of space to Convention matters. The following is a specimen of what is published in one of the local journals :-—" Federation is supposed to bo progress." Another paragraph says the Ministers of Justice and Agriculture in Victoria are inspecting a system of water supply, and they may do as much good in that way as their seniors in tho conference. Tho chief argument against Mr Service's motion for tho admission of tho Press was urged by the Sydney delegates, who pointed out that their Houso was now in session, and that the publication of the reports might cause complications. Members asked questions in the House relative to the Convention business. Messrs Berry, Service, and Kerferd, and the New Zealand delegates strongly supported tho motion to give publicity "to certain portions of tho proceedings ; but all tho other delegates sided with Sydney, and tho motion was lost by five colonies voting against two in favor of the resolution.

Tho whole subject of annexation was opened up and generally discussed at length. Some excellent speeches were made and much valuable and .special information was placed boforo the Convention. Every member spoke, and generally tho .speeches wore decidedly favorable to tho policy of annexation, tho only divergence seeming to arise from tho question as to how far tho policy was applied. Some delegates, notably tho Queensland and New South Wales representatives, ranked themselves on tho side of thoso who favored limited annexation, as they believed that moderate demands would be favorably entertained by tho Imperial authorities. They contonded that whut Victoria was striving- for ■was too broad v policy, and from tlr.it very fact stood in danger of falling altogether. These objections seemed to have great weight with some delegates. Mr Grilh'ths, who may bo regarded as the leader of the limited annexation section, laid great stress upon tho risk they ran by asking for the annexation of all tho islands in tho Pacific, losing tho moro immediate- object of the movement, viz., securing New Guinea. He said he felt thoroughly confident that if the annexation of New Guinea was alone asked for it would immediately be obtained. Mr "WhiUkcr supplied soino interesting facts concerning the Navigator and Friendly Islands, and submitted resolutions affirming , the desirability of these islands being secured to the interests of Australasia. The broader and more comprehensive policy is not regarded favorably by tho New South Wales delegates. Tho position they take jnnv be described in a few words, —that, ■whilst not entirely opposed to the general policy of annexation, they regard moderate demands as practicably und easily to be attained without delay, whereas a large scheme presents no prospect of a speedy solution.

On one point the whole of the delegates aro perfectly unanimous and firm, that is tho transportation of French criminals. All tho representatives spoke warmly. They desiro that nothing shall bo left untried to prevent the threatened possibility of the Australian colonies being over-run by French convicts, and urged that representations should be made to the English Government not to allow any such innovation as was proposed in tho French Senate, and that tho greatest precautions should bo taken to secure tho neutrality that pervades tho groups of islands in order to prevent a repetition of the broach of faith on tho part of Franco which occurred in the case of tho Royalty Islands, upon which tho French Hug was hoisted. It was further agreed that sending- a largo number of criminals to French possessions in the Pacific whs tantamount to a breach of the understanding arrived at between the two Powers regarding the New Hebrides. With regard to the question of defraying the costs of governing the islands annexed, the delegates generally favored the idea that tho colonies should not and would not shirk tho responsibility of liability. In a vague manner some speakers hinted of tho desirability of establishing a Federal Council, and Mr Berry indicated that if annexation ensued such a Council was an absolute necessity.

Mr Stuart laid before the Convention the following resolution passed by tho Congregational Union of New South Wales hist month: —" That, in the opinion of this Union, it is in the highest degree important to the interests of peace and civil and religious freedom that tho sovereignty of tho British Empire should be paramount in the Southern Seas, and hence that the occupation of New Guinea and the New Hebrides by any other power would be inimical to the future welfare of the colonies of Australasia and the native races inhabiting these seas "

Mr Stuart also submitted a letter from Mr Henry Cave, chairman of public meetings held at Levuka on tho loth September and Bth November, embodying a scries of resolutions passed at tho meetings. Mr Cave stated that a numerously attended public mooting was held at Levuka on tho date first named, with tho object of taking action to express the strong and growing feeling of discontent at the mode in which tho government of that colony was administered. A local committee was elected to give effect to the resolutions then passed, and at tho same time a number of gentlemen resident in Australia were appointed to represent tho colonists of Fiji in furtherance of tho object sought to be attained. A petition to the Queen and tho memorial of tho convention were prepared and received 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 Conveution, a request should be made that the representatives appointed by tho white inhabitants of Fiji at tho public meeting at Lovuka on the loth September should be allowed to speak in support of tho memorial. Another resolution expressed a hope that, notwithstanding tho presence in Sydney of an official or quasi - official representative of the Government of Fiji, the memorialists would not bo debarred from giving expression before tho Convention to tho feelings of tho white inhabitants of Fiji Avith regard to tho present political condition of the colony. Tho gentlemen Bolcctod to represent the colonists of Fiji at the Australian Convention are Dr. Chalmers, Messrs Leop, McEvoy, Langton, Edward Cox, and Thompson, of Melbourne, and Smith, of Sydney.

A memorandum was laid on the table by Governor Den Vcoux '' on the future of Now Guinea and Polynesia with reference to the question of Australian annexation or n protectorate." Ho considered tliufc tlio attainment of the object desired by Australasia might bo made consistent with the best interests of the islands ; indeed, that view whs not unnatural in view of the reluctance of the Imperial Government to undertake additional responsibility. lie had gradually formed tho opinion that the control of part of tho confederated colonies over these inlands afforded tho only reasonable prospect of material and moral advantage to them, and tho only rational hope that they would for centuries to como prove any substantial benefit to the world at large. He gave lengthy reasons for the conclusion, chief amongst which was tho fact that there ■xvan no probability of Polynesia being closely populated by white men, because they must necessarily confine themselves to tho cultivation of tropical products. Governor Dcs Yceux thought that, as so indicated in Lord

Derby's recent despatch, England will make a small addition to tho British squadron in the Western Pacific. In connection with this policy Australia could not expect more. As regarded the policy pursued in administration, he strongly deprecated any attempt, in the first instance, to govern tho natives. At tho commencement a number of commissioners, say from 12 to 20, shonld be stationed at the more important places; they should maintain a native guard, and that officer should have civil and criminal jurisdiction over all, and no interference of tribal warfare .should bo permitted, but the commissioners should always show themselves ready to offer friendly arbitration _in native disputes, so as to show their policy was one of peace. One swift dispatch vessel should be given to every five commissioners, with power similar to those of tho present high commissioners. The chief commissioner should reside in Australia, probably in Melbourne, where ho would be comparatively free from the pressure of interests at variance 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 harmony in tho proceedings. He strongly supported the narrow policy, which seemingly finds so much favor with Queensland, namely, to confine the annexation movement to New Guinea. His speech might be described as a violent one, and its burthen was that he saw 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 in tho Convention might very easily nullify all the good results which might follow the deliberations of the delegates. In anticipation of the danger apprehended from the influx of French criminals, it is now mentioned that some difficulties and complications might arise from a new quarter in which such obstacles were not anticipated. The position of Samoa and the neighbouring islands has been brought into prominence since the delegates have met. A highly instructive discussion has proceeded, and some delegates came prepared witlv special information of great value. One new point raised is that some action should be taken to guard against tho probability of a filibustering expedition which might bo bound under the protection of a charter granted to a company, ostensibly with the design of carrying on a monopoly of legitimate trade, but which might only prove a guise for designs in the British name, nor add security to commerce and free intercourse in tho Pacific Seas. The discussion by the Convention has already boon productive of one undeniable good, shedding a fierce light upon tho whole of the surroundings. December 2. The Convention sat yesterday forenoon. Very little progress was made. The oom■mittee submitted draft resolutions in reference to annexation. A discussion was initiated upon Mr Griffith's resolution dealing with creating a Federal Council, two of the former advocating tho establishment of a Council to deal with a limited number of subjects. Mr Service took up the larger position, though ho indicated that any Federal Council, however limited its scope upon its initiation, would receive his hearty support. The proposed Council is to deal witii such intercolonial subjects as may be remitted by the 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 from the Hoy. Mr Patterson, senior missionary in the New Hebrides mission, protesting against France being allowed, in accordance with her new convict law, to transport thousands of her lowest criminals and convicts to our South Sea Islands. It would not only destroy the work of christianising and civilising the islanders, but would exterminate them, and be a prolific source of much evil to our Australian colonies. The prayer of the petition was that tho Now Hebrides, New Guinea, Now Builecm, New Ireland, the Solomon Group, and all the annexed islands between Queensland and Fiji, should be annexed by the British Government. A letter was received from Mr Haymon, secretary of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, enclosing resolutions passed by the Chamber in favor of a reduction of tho cable charges. A communication was also received from Messrs Bennett and Heaton on the same subject, and suggesting the construction of a second cable beyond Australasia, tho intended length being 12,000 miles, and tho cost £3,000,000, tho charges on tho lino to be 2s Gd per word, and tho minimum charge for eight words £1. They urged that at these rates the cable would be more generally used. Two small steamers conveyed the part}-, which numbered one hundred, on an excursion. Luncheon was served, when a

number of speeches wore made. Mr Jos, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. The usual loyul toasts having been duly honored, that of the Ministry of New South "Wales was proposed. Mr Stuart, in responding , , referred to the fact that at the present time there were assembled in Sydney a number of the ablest Australian politicians on an occasion which would be the greatest recorded in Australian annals. The whole of tho Australasian group was represented, and whatever tho immediate effect of the Convention might be, tho ultimate result would undoubtedly be memorable in the history of the colonies. It was a pride for himself to act as President of the Convention. He knew that the desire of the whole of the delegates was to advance the interests of Australia, and he anticipated that great benefits would acme from these representatives—gentlemen exchanging thoir views upon important intercolonial subjects. Mr Dalley also responded, and in doing so remarked that ho hoped to see federation an accomplished fact, and that the fiscal policy of Victoria would not be any abstaclo in the way of agreement. Reference had been made to the exclusion of the Press from the Convention, 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 admitting the Press to the Conference been granted. The works of great diplomatists wero usually published long , after their death. 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 proposed, and duly honored. Major Atkinson reponded, and said the occasion upon which they had met was the greatest in the history of the colonies. Ho regretted to say that their feelings were too much of a local character. There was a great future before them, and if they lost the present opportunity of doing a great work their colonies would not srjeak of them iii respectful terms. This was his first vinit to New South Wales and Victoria, and he now saw that practically they were in ignorance of each other's alfairs. Notwithstanding their facilities of communication with each other they must unite and get better knowledge of one another. Australia was in its infancy, and united the whole of tho British races.