SIR II. PARKES AND THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6281, 4 January 1882, Page 5

SIR 11. PARKES AND THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT.

j. Yesterday morning the steamer Lily lefi the wharf to proceed to the mail stcamei Australia, having on board the Hon. the Attorney-General, Dr. Philson (Health Officer), Mr. Griffin (United State 3 Consul), and Mr. Gamble (agent of the company). Mr. Wliitaker's object in visiting the vessel was to deliver to Sir Henry Partes, Premier of New South Wales, the necessary authority from the New Zealand Government to represent this colony in the representation to be made to the United States Government in respect to the admission of colonial wools free of duty. Owing to the quarantine laws, the Australia could not come nearer than the Heads. On the Lily coming alongside, a large port-hole was opened, and Captain Cargill and Dr. Philson conversed thereby. Dr. Philson ascertained that tlusrc was no sickness on board, nor any appearance of it. Sir 11. Parkes was not able to come to the porthole, and sent an urgent request that Mr, Whitaker should come on board. Mr. Whitaker was in a difficulty, but at length resolved that considerations of the public survicc should prevail, and went on board. No other person, however, did so. Sir Henry said that he was deeply disappointed at not being able to land, especially as this was the first time he had ever visited New Zealand. Mr. Whitaker then delivered to Sir Henry the necessary commission authorising him to act un behalf of the Government of New Zealand. Sir H. Parkes has commissions from the Governments of South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand. In respect to the colony of Victoria, Sir Henry Parkes wrote to Sir Bryan O'Loghlen on the same day on which he wrote to the Government of South Australia, simply stating what he intended to do, and suggesting that it might be well for tlic Government of Victoria to concur. Tha.t letter was written and posted on the 9th November. No reply was received for nearly .a month, and than Sir Henry wrote a note calling the attention of the Victorian Government to his letter. Subsequently a telegram came, acknowledging the i-eceipt of the two letters, and informing him that the matter was not fully considered. No final intimation of the Victorian Government's intentions came to hand until the 24th December, when Sir Henry received a telegram stating that, having consulted leading -American woolbrokers, the Government was advised that the time was not opportune for any movement of the kind proposed, and that it was best to leave the matter to circumstances. The whole question was discussed by Sir H. Parkes and Mr. Whitaker for about an hour. The negotiations for the appointment of Sir H. Parkes were commenced two months ago. It is not thought that any difficulty will arise amongst the colonies. If the Americans ayrec to admit colonial wools d'.ity free, it will be on the ground that raw material should be admitted for the purpose of encouraging manufactures. They will not make differential duties, but admit all oi' none, and will simply buy what suits them. We may remark that the Australia is loaded with Australian wools, which have been purchased in Sydney for the American market.