A.—No, la.

6

DESPATCHES EROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE

make any observation on the present proposal, had it not been officially communicated to myself as Secretary of State, and to the various Governments concerned. With the exception of the three gentlemen who signed the letter, I do not know who were present at the meeting held in the rooms of the Boyal Colonial Society, or the names of the Committee who have issued this circular. lam unable, therefore, to estimate the weight which your Ministers will attach to their recommendations. Independently, however, of the consideration that the project assumes at its outset an attitude of antagonism to Her Majesty's Government, my opinion is that it is not in itself calculated to answer its purpose. In the first place, the attempt to cover by one arrangement all the principal Colonies enjoying Representative Governments, appears to me injudicious. The questions which most seriously affect individual Colonies in relation to the Mother Country, have often, in their nature and treatment, little connection with those which arise in others ; nor, as far as I am aware, is there anything in the mode of transacting business between the British and Colonial Governments which, under their generally cordial relations, obstructs negotiation or calls for any practical improvement in their means of communication. As a general rule it appears to me that the wishes of the colonists are likely to be more faithfully and effectually brought before the Home Government by the local Ministers, who are in immediate contact with the communities which they represent, and through the Governor who is responsible to Her Majesty for furnishing all requisite information, than by a body of gentlemen resident in London, acting in pursuance of their own views, or of mere written instructions, under influences not always identical with those which are paramount in the Colony, and without the guarantee which their recommendations may derive from having passed through the Governor's hands. It will be obvious to you that these objections to a standing representation of the Colonial Empire in London, have no relation, to the appointment of several or collective agencies on the system now in force, which, I believe, completely answers its purpose. You will communicate this Despatch to your Government. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GBANVILLE.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 95.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th September, 1869. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 68, of 18th .Tune, reporting your return to Wellington, and enclosing copies of the Addresses presented to you in reply to the Speech delivered at the opening of the Legislature. I have, &c, EREDERIC ROGERS Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (for Earl Granville).

No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, E.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 96.) Sir, — Downing Street, 15th September, 1869. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 77, of Ist July, reporting the resignation of Mr. Stafford and his colleagues, and the formation of a new administration by Mr. Eox. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GBANVILLE.