The Australian Colonies have agreed to hold an Annexation Conference
in November, which will meet at Sydney, and be attended by representatives from the whole of Australia and New Zealand. The Conference will formulate the reasons for desiring the annexation of neighbouring islands, detail a plan of occupation, and define the pecuniary responsibility which the combined Colonies will agree to undertake. Except as regards New Guinea, the movement is not likely to come to much, though this Government has annexed North Borneo ; but the feeling in the Colonies is very excited. Mr. Service, the Premier of Victoria, said on Wednesday, that the landing of French convicts, such as has recently occurred in Brisbane, must be prohibited at any cost; and the colonists are quite in the temper to lynch them, which would produce complications. The Cape Colony nearly fought Great Britain on the same pro- vocation.
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