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2. That having regard to the geographical position of the Island of New Guinea, the rapid extension of British trade and enterprise in Torres Straits, the certainty that the island will shortly be inhabited by many adventurous subjects of Great Britain and other nations, and the inadequacy of any existing laws for regulating their relations with the native tribes, this Convention, while fully recognizing that the responsibility of extending the boundaries of the Empire belongs to the Imperial Government, is emphatically of opinion that such steps should be immediately taken as will most conveniently and effectively secure the incorporation with the British Empire of so much of New Guinea as is not claimed by the Government of Holland. 3. That although the understanding arrived at in 1878 between Great Britain,and France, recognizing the independence of the New Hebrides, precludes this Convention from making any recommendation with respect to those islands, the Convention urges upon Her Majesty's Government the extreme desirability that such understanding should be embodied in some definite and permanent engagement, which shall secure them against falling under any foreign dominion ; at the same time the Convention trusts that Her Majesty's Government will avail itself of any opportunity that may arise for negotiating with the Government of France, with the object of securing the control of those Islands in the interests of Australasia. 4. That the Governments represented at this Convention undertake to submit and recommend to their respective Parliaments such measures as may be necessary for defraying, in proportion to their population, such share of the cost incurred in giving effect to the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty's Government may require. 5. That the Convention protests in the strongest manner against the declared intention of the Government of France to transport largo numbers of relapsed criminals to the French possessions in the Pacific, and urges Her Majesty's Government to use every means in its power to prevent the adoption of a course so disastrous to the interests of Australasia. 0. That the Convention expresses a confident hope that no penal settlement for the reception of European criminals will long continue to exist in the Pacific ; and invites Her Majesty's Government to make to the Government of France such serious representations on this subject as may be deemed expedient. That these resolutions be communicated to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to be submitted for Her Majesty's Royal consideration, and for such action as she may think proper to direct, with a view to giving effect to the earnest desire of her loyal subjects in Australasia. The Convention adjourned at 1 o'clock.

At the Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney. 3rd BEOEMBEB, 1883. (Fifth Day.) Present: — Fiji: His Excellency Sir G. William Dcs Vceux, K.C.M.G., Governor of Fiji and H.B.M.'s Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. New South Wales: The Honorable Alexander Stuaet, M.P., Premier and Colonial Secretary. The Honorable Geoege Eiciiaed Dibbs, M.P., Colonial Treasurer. The llonoeable William Bede Dalley, Q.C., M.L.C., Attorney- General. New Zealand: The Honoeable Majoe Haeey Albeet Atkinson, M.P., Premier and Colonial Treasurer. The Honorable Feedeeick Wihtakbe, M.L.C., late Premier and Attorney-General. Queensland: The Honoeable Samuel Walkee Geifpith, Q.C., M.P., Premier and Colonial Secretary. The Honoeable James Francis Gabeick, Q.C., M.L.C. Postmaster- General. SoutJi Australia : The Honoeable John Cox Beat, M.P., Premier and Chief Secretary. The Honoeable J. W. Downee, Q.C., M.P., AttorneyGeneral. Tasmania : The Honorable William Robert Giblin, M.P., Premier and Attorney-General. The Honoeable Nicholas J. Beown, M.P., Minister of Lands and Works. Victoria: The Honoeable James Seevice, M.P., Premier and Colonial Treasurer. The Honoeable Geaham Beeex, M.P., Chief Secretary. The Honorable George Beisuoe Keeferd, M.P., Attorney- General. Western Australia : The Honoeable Malcolm Fkasek, C.M.G., Secretary. 331— 8 The