NORFOLK ISLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5501, 28 February 1896, Page 3

NORFOLK ISLAND.

THE ANNEXATION PROPOSAL. STRONG PROTESTS. A NEW ZEALAND CLAIM. [Special to Press Association.] SYDNEY, Feb. 27. The deputation from Norfolk Island presented a"f protest against annexation to 27ew South Wales to the Governor* Amongst other objections Mr. Adams urged that the colony might allow undesirable, immigration such as unemployed. It also had a fear of taxation being imposed. Lord Hampden said that the commission appointed by Sir R. Duff in 1894 had fully reported on Ihe matter. The Imperial Government had assented, and New South Wales, had assumed responsibility. Sir Robert Duff's commission had reported in favour of appointing a magistrate, as the administration of justice was anything but right. He thought that the prejudices against •New South Wales were quite unfounded. The policy was settled, and the islanders must accept the position. SYDNEY, Feb. 28. Mr Seddon has cabled to- Mr Reid asking for information as to the- exact position of affairs in regard to Norfolk Island^, and calling attention to the alleged dissatisfaction of the islanders at the proposed annexation by New South Wales. He points out that tho island is nearer to New Zealand, which already has an interest in it, as it is the headquarters of the Melanesian mission, and will become the station where the Pacific cable will branch off to New Zealand. The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on the message, says, it is odd to find New Zealand putting in a claim to be invested with the control of the island. So strangely belated an argument as that with reference to the mission station it would be hard to match. The real impulse iiothe claim, is, no doubt, a lingering relic of the dream of the hegemony of a South Pacific Empire, to which New Zealand was for a time stimulated by the. visionary projects of Sir Julius Yogel.