JHAP. II] IMPERIAL CO-OPERATION 1465
ine to Australia was discussed, but no decision was arrived
at with regard to it. The position of the Pacific Islands was
discussed at length, and though much divergence of opinion
was manifested, it was agreed to preserve the neutrality of
the New Hebrides under a joint Anglo-French Naval Com-
mission. The settlement of the administration of British
New Guinea was arranged, the Colony of Queensland
together with the Colonies of New South Wales and Victoria
engaging to defray the cost of administration to the extent
of £15,000 a year for ten years, while the Imperial Govern-
ment was to provide a suitable steam-vessel with the cost
of its maintenance for three years at an estimated total
cost of £29,000; and annexation followed in 1888.
Various questions in connexion with trade were debated,
such as the adoption by the Colonies of similar legislation to
that proposed in the Mother Country with regard to mer-
chandize marks and patents, and the effect of foreign bounties
upon the sugar trade of the Colonies. In regard to this
last question, the representatives generally urged that in
justice to Colonial industries and trade which were injuriously
affected by the sugar bounties, Her Majesty’s Government
should spare no effort to bring about the abolition of that
unsound system.!
Among the suggestions put forward was a proposal by
Mr. Hofmeyr, a Cape representative, that commerce within
the Empire should be encouraged by imposing a duty of an
equal rate on all imports entering the Empire from foreign
countries, and that the revenue thereby acquired should be
applied to the defence of the Empire.
{t was also urged that permission should be given to the
self-governing Colonies to enter into direct negotiations with
foreign Powers in regard to trade matters, as had been allowed
in the case of Canada.?
Other questions discussed related to the enforcement of
Colonial judgements and of orders in bankruptcy and winding
This was effected later, see Cd. 1470, 1535, 1632 (1903).
‘ This was not quite accurate: Canada had negotiated through Great
Britain. Cf. Part V, ch. v; Jebb, Imperial Conference, 1. 171, 172, 379-82.
