THE AUSTRALASIAN CONVENTION. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1672, 8 December 1883, Page 9

THE AUSTRALASIAN CONVENTION. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Sydney, December 3.

The following is the report of the sub-com-mittee of Premiers as amended by the Convention on Saturday, and which will probably be adopted to-day : —

1. In the opinion of this Convention the further acquision of or dominion by any foreign Power of any islands in the Western Pacific would ba highly detrimental to the future safety and prosperity of the British dependencies in Australia, and injurious to the interests of the whole British Empire. 2. Having regard to the geographical position of New Guinea, the rapid extension of British trade and enterprise in Torres Strait, the certainty that New Guinea will shortly be inhabited by many adventurous British subjects and others, and the inadequacy of the existing laws regulating their relations with the natives, this Convention, while recognising the responsibility of extending the boundaries of the British Empire, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should be taken immediately so as most conveniently and effectually to secure incorporation with the British Empire of so much of New Guinea as is not claimed by Holland. 3. Although the understanding arrived at in 1878 between Great Britain and France, recognising the independence of the New Hebrides, precludes the Convention from making any recommendation respecting those islands, the Convention urges that it is extremely desirable that such understanding be embodied in a definite permanent engagement in order to secure these islands against foreign domination. The Convention also trusts that her Majesty's Government will avail themselves of any opportunity of negotiating with the French Government with the object of securing control of the New Hebrides in the interests of Australasia.

4. All the Governments represented at this Convention undertake to submit and recommend to their respective Parliaments measures such as may be necessary for defraying, in proportion to population, such share of the cost of carrying out the foregoing resolutions as her Majesty's Government will require. v 5. The Convention protests in the strangest manner against the declared intention of the French Government to transport a large number of relapsed criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific, and urges her Majesty's Government to employ every means to prevent the adoption of measures so disastrous to the interests of Australasia.

6. The Convention expresses a confident hope that no penal settlement for the reception of European criminals will continue long to exist in the Pacific, and invites her Majesty's Government to make to the French Government such serious representations as may be deemed expedient. 7. That these resolutions be communicated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for submission to her Majesty's royal consideration of such action as may be thought proper with a view to giving effect to the earnest desire of her loyal subjects in Australasia. Mr Griffith (Premier of Queensland) has tabled a series of resolutions on the subject of the institution of a federal council.

At Saturday's meeting of the Conference, Messrs Stuart and Service spoke in favour of limited action in regard to a federal council, with a view to establishing the necessary machinery. It is probable that a committee will be appointed to draft final resolutions. All the delegates made an excursion to Clontarf and down the harbour on Saturday, at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr Service, in his speech on the occasion, said that the Convention was making satisfactory progress with its work.

At to-day's sitting of the Convention the question of annexation was not dealt with. A long discussion took place on the subject of federation, All the delegates spoke, and finally a sub-committee was appointed to consider the best meanß of constituting a federal council and deciding upon its functions. Mr Whitaker laid on the table certain amendments to the report of the Committee on Annexation, but they, made no substantial change in the report. A note was presented from Mr Broome, Governor of West Australia, referring to several points of federal interest, notably the question of cable communication with Ceylon. Mr Broome pointed out that communication by land-telegraphs with the coast of WBBt Australia will soon be completed.

The Conference adjourned at midday until fco-morrow. The amendment proposed by Mr Whitaker

tat the report of the Committee at the Conference consists of 10 clauses, the main points feeing as follow :— lt provides that the authority of Great Britain over the Pacific islands unay be established by cession or annexation, or by protectorate over the various islands, as may be severally suitable ; and that aneaßures be adopted to prevent intertfereace by foreigners. It recommends the annexation of New Guinea as far as that country is unclaimed by Holland ; proposes that an effective guarantee should be given by the Australasian Colonies for their share in the cost by permanent Appropriation Acts, according^ population ; and declares that thure is no intention of placing; Britain in a position of hostility to foreigners in the Pacific. Messrs Stuart and Atkinson have telegraphed to London for (? full) details of the matters now before the Conference. The Melbourne Argus has publ shed & special telegram stating that the Convention has agreed to tire principle of applying for an Imperial Jinabimg Act for the formation of a federal "Won of the Australian Colonies.

December 4. At the Conference this morning a long discussion took place on the subject of Anuexatjon, including Mr Whitaker's amendments to tae report of the Committee. In the course of the debate Mr Whitaker made an exhaustive speech in support of his motion. Mr Dalley, Attorney-general of New South * Vales, submitted a proposition for the constitution of a Federal Council. Its functions, as defined, would be to deal with the following ■questions : — Naturalisation of aliens, patents, quarantine enforcement, criminal extradition, copyright, marriage, divorce, prevention of influx of criminals, weights and measures, efcatisticsof companies, and examinations into inarine disasters. It is proposed that the Council consist of two members from each Colony enjoying Responsible Government, and one from the Crown Colonies ; a yearly meeting to be held at a time and place to be determined by a Governor empowered by the Queen; then (? two) Colonies to be able to summon special meetings of the Council. In addition to thp functions of the Federal Council as previously telegraphed, Mr Dalley's proposition provides for reciprocal enforcement of judgments in matters affecting Australasia and the Pacific.

At the sitting of the Conference this afternoon, the series of resolutions on the question of Annexation, with the various amendments thereto, were discussed, and finally adopted unanimously, with no substantial change from the report of the sub-Committee, except that aa additional clause was interpolated after the first aa follows :—: —

"Secpnd. The Convention refrains from suggesting the manner of carrying out the foregoing, in the confident belief that the Imperial .Government will promptly and wisely take the most efficient steps to secure the safety and contentment of this distant portion of the Empire." The fifth clause of the series of resolutions as agreed to.

With the fourth (as telegraphed yesterday) is embodied Mr Whitaker's amendment providing for the guarantee of a share of the cost of Annexation by permanent Appropriation Acts.

It is confidently expected that the labours of the Convention will be attended with unqualified success. It is probable that the session will close on Friday next. The Committee appointed has prepared a draft of an Imperial BUI defining the constitution and functions of the proposed Federal Council as reported in previous telegrams. It is understood that complete unanimity prevails thereon among the delegates to the Convention.