FEDERATION AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7160, 28 October 1884, Page 5

FEDERATION AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Ley telegbapii. —peess association.! i Wellington, Monday. The following is the resolution, notice of which was given by the Premier : —"That this House agrees generally with the resolutions of the Sydney Convention; but, in order that its views may be specifically expressed, it resolves as follows That it approves of the steps taken by the Britißh Government for the establishment of its rule over New Guinea, and hopes that like measures will be taken for a protectorate over the islands of the Pacific Ocean not under the dominion of any stable government. That the colony is willing to pay in proportion to its population a share of the sum of £15,000 proposed by the Imperial Government. That it desires respectfully to protest against the transportation of criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific. That it requests the British Government to make such representation to the European Powers as will prevent the maintenance of penal establishments in any of the Pacific Islands. That the establishment of such a Federal Council as is proposed in the convention draft Bill is premature. That, so far as the Bill aims at enabling the colonies to jointly initiate legislation on questions of common interest and importance to the several colonies, it has the cordial support of this House. That, to j place' the proposed measure in accordanco with these opinions, it will be necessary to provide—first, that the Federal Council thall not make representations to Governments ; second, that any measures which it initiates shall not have any force within any colony, nor affect any colony, until it is adopted by the Legislature of such colony."