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some more definite engagement, which shall secure those islands from 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 obtaining the control of those Islands in the interests of Australasia. 5. That the Governments represented at this Convention undertake to submit and recommend to their respective Legislatures measures of permanent Appropriation for defraying, in proportion to population, such share of the cost incurred in giving effect to the foregoing resolutions as Her Majesty's Government, having regard to the relative importance of Imperial and Australasian interests, may deem fair and reasonable. 6. That the Convention protests in the strongest manner against the declared intention of the Government of France to transport large 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 and the Pacific Islands. 7. 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. 8. That these resolutions be communicated to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, together with a request that they may be submitted for Her Majesty's gracious consideration, and for such action as Her Majesty may think proper to direct, with a view to giving effect to the earnest desire of her loyal subjects in Australasia. Note.—His Excellency Sir G. William Dcs Vceux, the Governor of Fiji, representing that Colony, while expressing individually his general concurrence with the resolutions, considered himself as precluded by his position from voting upon them. The wore signed by the several members of the Convention, and directed to be sent to His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales with a request to transmit them to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, by cable. Me. Whitakek then proposed the following Eesolution : — That this Convention desires to express the great gratification with which it would regard the early establishment over the Pacific Islands, not now in the possession of any Foreign Power, and to which the Western Pacific orders in council are now applicable, of a jurisdiction to which all persons of whatever origin would be subject. Discussion ensued, and a general expression of opinion being given that it was not desirable to pass any formal resolution on the subject, which might have the effect of restricting the action of Her Majesty's Government, Mr. Whitaker withdrew the Eesolution. The Convention then proceeded to consider the Eeport of the Committee to which was referred the preparation of Eesolutions to form a basis for constituting a " Federal Council of Australasia." The question, "That the Eeport be received," was adopted, and, on the motion of Mr. Dalley, the Convention resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, for the purpose of considering the T3ill prepared by the Committee. Progress was reported, and the Convention adjourned at 4 o'clock.

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