AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2027, 17 September 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BT ELECTRIC I'ELKCHIAPII — OOCYIU (111 . MELBOURNE, Sept. 15

The Agent-General, L-mdou, telegraphs Mr Service that the Colonial Offico has roplied to the joint letter of tho Coloui vl Agents-General on tlie sul)ject of tlie propoHed annexation of the Pacific. The r.--ply is deemed unsatisfactorily , Earl Derby admits the care and ability displayed in the preparation of the historical statement which referred to the consideration by Sir Arthur Gordon and the Admirality. Earl Derby doubts whether so much ignorance prevails iv Australia regarding the claims of foreign powers, as the Agents-General apprehend. Samoa and Tonga have been long recognised as independent, and moreover, France, since 1878, had respected the independence of the New Hebrides, though tho position of the lattor in relation to foreign powers, cannot be ignored. Referring to the Solomon Islands, Earl Derby expressed the opinion that the Colonial Governments had hardly considered the responsibility of attacking their assumption. The Imperial Govern : ment is not satisfied that the annexation is necessary and justifiable. His Lordship 9aya he lias nothing to add concerning New Guinea, and concludes by staging that }f the Colonial Governments desire to bear the costs of tho n>eiisures proposed in th,6 Agenta -General memorandum, and will confer and make a proposal concerning the other Islands not subject to the troaty, auoh proposal w|U receive attention by Government, SYDNEY, September 16. Laycock has met with an accident by which his leg has been broken, and he has consequently found it necessary to terminate the negotiations which were proceeding for the match with Hanlan.