THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3331, 5 December 1883, Page 2

THE ANNEXATION CONFERENCE.

By Electric Telegraph:—Copyright.

[Reuter’s Agency.]

[Received Dec, 4, 1883, 4,25 p.m,] Sydney, Dec. 4.

At the Conference this morning, a long discussion took place on the subject of annexation, including Mr Whitaker’s amendments to the report of the Committee. In the course of the debate, Mr Whitaker made an exhaustive speech in support of his motion. Mr Dailey, Attorney-General for New South Wales, submitted a proposition for the constitution of a Federal Council* the functions of which as defined, would be to deal with the following questions: —Naturalisation of aliens,patents,quarantine enforcements, criminal process, extradition, copyright, marriage, divorce, prevention of the influx of criminals, weights and measures, statutes of Companies, and examinations into marine disasters. Ko proposed that the Council consist of two members from each colony,enjoying responsible Government and one member from Crown colonies, yearly meetings to be bold at a time and place to be determined by a Governor empowered by the Queen, the colonies to bo able to summon special meetings of the Council. [Received Dec. 4 1883, 9.50p,m.J In addition to tho functions of tho proposed Federal Council as previously telegraphed, Mr Dailey’s proposition provided for reciprocal enforcement of judgments in matters affecting Australia and the Pacific.

At the sitting of the Conference tin's 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-Committec, except that an additional clause was interpolated after the first, as follows (2) This Convention refrains from suggesting the manner of currying out the fore-

going, in the confident belief that the Imperial Government will promptly and wisely take tho most efficient steps to secure the safety and contentment of this distant portion of the Empire. With the fifth clause of the series of resolutions as agreed to (the fourth as telegraphed yesterday) is embodied Mr Whitaker’s amendment, providing for the guarantee of a share of tho cost of annexation by permanent appropriation Acts. [Received Dec. 5, 1883, 1.50 a.m.] It is confidently expected that the labors of the Convention will be attended with unqualified success. It is probable that tho session will close on Friday next. The Committee appointed has prepared a draft of an Imperial Bill, 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.