The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1883. ANNEXATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 3, 1 December 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1883. ANNEXATION.

The news we were m a position, owing to our special arrangement with Renter, to publish last night m tho form of an Extra, was of considerable importance, and as it was received by no other newspaper m the district, wo deemed it advisable to give it publicity at the earliest possible moment. It would appear that the intercolonial Conference now sitting at Sydney to deal with matters m connection vwith tbealHmportant questions of federation and annexation has appointed a aub-coni-mitteo.consisting of the five Premiers, viz., the Hon*. Service, Stuart, Bray, Atkinson, and Griffiths,,, to consider . the various resolutions which have been submitted,. and frame filial resolutions for the adoption of the Conference. It is apparent that theuo is an under-cur-rent of. feeling against annexation on the part of pertain imcmbers of the Conference, but the majority favour the proposal, which should, nevertheless,, receive careful consideration / before Tieing finally adopted. The scheme is fraught with vase attendant results to these colonies, and will be the first stone of the foundation of the JEmpire m the South Pacific, that may yet play an important part m the history of the world. It is of the utmost consequence that these islands sought to be annexed should be saved from the dreadful fate of becoming the moral sewers and cess- \ pools of continental cities, and being overrun with the criminal clusc, which even j now is giving the -Frfeneh .Government Some concern; and which will annually become; a more difficult social problem to deal with. Much will depend on the ixisues arrived at by the Conference now holding its sittings, and the final result will be looked forward to by the popula- , tioh of these colonies with eager interest. It is to be hoped the great scheme of federation will not be marred or jeopardized by any spirit of jealousy or dis. union, but that the Conference will be unanimous on a matter which is of equal and universal significance as regards both the prejeiat and the future. New Zealand has much to gain by federation, and her resources and geographical position ,|houTd constitute Iter the futtireicentroof tj^Southem Empire. Mucli :thaf,is hi<Sien?"in the womb of futurity can "and will be affected, so to apeak j by the ultimate decision arrived at, which we trustlvwiil be thoi issue of prudent and well considered deliberations on thja part of th^ Conference.