A.—No. 9.

EMPLOYMENT OE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

16

might have done, it is owing to the imperfect light which we have here on the question, Should Her Majesty's Ministers refuse to accede to the modified proposal referred to in the commencement of this letter, we wish you to endeavour, as far as practicable, to clear away all doubt as to the real aim of the new policy; and to ascertain whether it is really the wish of Her Most Gracious Majesty and of the people of Great Britain to sever the connection of New Zealand with the Empire. Are both races in the Colony to understand that the bonds of allegiance and the obligations of treaties are matters of Imperial indifference, so long as the two populations confine themselves to internecine warfare, and that the clash of arms is only worthy of Imperial notice when a foreign nation is the aggressor ? Understand that tho people of New Zealand are not seeking for a change of their relations with i the Crown or with the Empire. Be particularly careful to let this be known. We have no school of diplomacy in the Colony, and you are not asked to exercise diplomatic craft; but prevent, if possible, any attempt that may be made by those who do exercise it to instil into the minds of the Sovereign and the people the idea that the desire for independence has arisen in New Zealand. Publish this letter widely, that all may understand at least the feelings of the Colonial Government. If you can find the opportunity by a personal audience of laying our sentiments directly before Her Majesty, or of reaching the ear of Parliament personally or by counsel at the bar of either House, you will not fail to avail yourselves of it, and so be enabled to authoritatively inform us how far the policy of the Cabinet is shared by the nation. I do not desire that you should extend your mission or delay your return for the purposes I have mentioned. Tou will have no difficulty in determining whether access to Her Majesty will be granted to you; and for the rest, when the session of Parliament terminates, nothing will remain to be achieved in that direction. Tou will therefore, at an early date, make arrangements for your return to the Colony. In contemplation of that event, I cannot conclude without expressing the satisfaction of the Government with the course you have pursued, and their deep sense of the energetic manner in which you have devoted yourselves to the fulfilment of the duty imposed on you. I have, &c., The Hon. I. E. Featherston and F. D. Bell, W. Pox. Care of John Morrison, Esq., 3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, London, E.C.