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A memorandum for the Governor written by Victorian Premier James Service in 1884.

Mr. Service begs to draw Your Excellency's serious attention to the attached clipping from a second edition of the Age newspaper of the 19th instant, headed "German Annexation in the Pacific;" also to a clipping from the Argus of the 20th idem on the same subject. The intelligence therein conveyed of definite steps being taken by Germany to annex or establish a Protectorate, not only over the more important islands of the Western Pacific, but even in the northern portion of New Guinea, has already created consternation in this community.

The surprise thus created is based upon the following facts. Your Excellency is aware that the convention which met in Sydney last year representing the Governments of all the British colonies of Australasia, passed as the first of its resolutions the following, viz.:

That further acquisition of dominion in the Pacific, south of the Equator, by any Foreign Power, would be highly detrimental to the safety and well-being of the British possessions in Australasia, and injurious to the interests of the Empire.

The Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, writing subsequently to this namely, on the 9th May, 1884, gave this assurance, viz.:-

Her Majesty's Government are confident that no Foreign Power contemplates interference with New Guinea.

Again – In the House of Commons, on the 24th October, 1884, the Lord Mayor asked whether the Government had come to an understanding with Germany, as to the occupation by the latter Power of the northern portion of New Guinea, to which the Honorable Evelyn Ashley replied, "The answer is in the negative."

Prior to this, on the 2nd of July, 1883, the Earl of Derby had publicly announced in the House of Lords that it would be regarded as an "unfriendly act" if any other country attempted to make a settlement on the coast of New Guinea.

Further, in the telegram announcing General Scratchley's appointment as High Commissioner to control the New Guinea Protectorate, it was stated that he would also be Deputy Commissioner for portions of New Guinea outside the protectorate.
In view of all these assurances, Mr. Service submits that Australian colonists were entitled to rest in perfect confidence that their interest in the neighbouring island of New Guinea was secured by Her Majesty's Imperial Government; and it must be supposed that the reported action of a Foreign Power, if it be a fact, is without the knowledge or consent of Her Majesty's Government. Yet the reports are so detailed and circumstantial and further, so entirely in accord with the published utterances of the German Chancellor, that it seems vain to doubt them.
Mr. Service must, in duty to this colony, represent to Your Excellency that not only surprise, but indignation, will be the feeling here if the reports referred to should prove to be true. That feeling, will, no doubt, be intensified by the recollection that, when colonists acted in their own interests, and hoisted in Her Majesty's name the Union Jack in New Guinea, Her Majesty's Government thought fit to repudiate and cancel that proceeding, alleging (to quote from Lord Derby's despatch of 11th July, 1883) that "the apprehension entertained in Australia that some Foreign Power was about to establish itself on the shores of New Guinea appears to have been altogether indefinite and unfounded."
In Mr. Service's communication of 18th June, 1883, to His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Service, in referring to this, and urging action by the Imperial Government, represented that-

Australia is in this respect fettered in her action by her forming part of the British Empire. She cannot take the course which her truest interest dictates without the authority of the Crown … A strong feeling of dissatisfaction will spread throughout these colonies, if England, while holding Australia back from acting in her own interests, at the same time neglects to take a step which Australia deems essential to her future security and welfare."

The present position of matters is this:-That Australia is not allowed to act for herself, neither will the Imperial Government act for her; and meanwhile she has to stand by, and see territories, the possession of which she regards as essential to her safety and well-being, pass to another Power. As one who strongly cherishes the connexion of the Colonies with the Empire, Mr. Service cannot adequately express the feeling of disappointment which he entertains at the want of response by Her Majesty's Government to the aspirations of the colonies. Whether this report should prove to be true, or whether exaggerated, in either case it illustrates the extreme unwisdom of slighting the perpetual and strong representations which have unceasingly been addressed to the Imperial Government on this subject for the last eighteen months.
But in the present situation it becomes necessary to consider what is yet practicable. In Lord Derby's despatch of 11th July, 1883, before referred to, it is stated that-

If there had been any evidence of the intention, which is said to have been apprehended, of a Foreign Power to take possession of any part of New Guinea, the views and proposals of the Colonial Government could have been placed before Her Majesty's Government by telegraph, and if the circumstances had justified immediate action, it could have been taken without a delay of more than a very few hours."

Mr. Service now submits to Your Excellency the evidence of the accompanying reports, which can be confirmed or disproved by the Commodore on the Australian station. Mr. Service now records the request, already verbally made, that Your Excellency will be pleased to telegraph the intelligence to the Secretary of State, with a request that steps may be at once authorized by telegraph to save to Australasia such of the neighbouring islands as are yet available.
Mr. Service further asks Your Excellency, to convey his strong protest, on behalf of the Colony of Victoria, against the inaction which gives an open invitation to Foreign Powers to come and take possession of lands in which no Power can be so much interested as the neighbouring and important communities of Australasia.

Memorandum for the Governor from James Service, Premier of Victoria, 20 December 1884, SLV, MS 10798, Box 960/5.