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are doing more, in urging their present requests, than endeavouring to fulfil the duties devolving upon them, of colonizing in the moat effective manner countries in which the whole of Her Majesty's subjects have a common and national interest. " The Australasian Colonies onl j ask for powers which have been and are still exercised by the British-American Provinces for a long series of years. Seeing that the Constitution Act of New Zealand does not debar that Colony from exercising the powers sought, it would almost appear that accident, rather than design, has been the cause of that clause in the Constitution Acts of the other Colonies which denies to them the discretion to which they deem they have a right. " The Secretary of State admits that the powers sought are not inconsistent with Treaty obligations of Great Britain. Indeed, such a deduction is inevitable; because, otherwise, seeing that the same powers have been exercised by the British-American Provinces, the conclusion would be that Great Britain had permitted her dependencies to violate her treaties. " The great distance which separates the Australasian Colonies from the Mother Country would prevent any arrangement they might enter into from affecting the trade of the United Kingdom to any appreciable extent. Keciprocity amongst the Australasian Colonies clearly could not prejudice the commercial interests of the Mother Country so much as reciprocity amongst the British-American Provinces. " Two of the Governors of these Colonies —the Earl of Belmore and Governor Dv Cane—have personally, on their own independent authority, as representatives of Her Majesty, declared themselves favourable to granting the requests of the Colonies. It is submitted that the advice of experienced Imperial Officers is entitled to the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, especially when it independently confirms the respectful requests of the Colonists themselves. " As the Secretary of State has expressed an opinion favourable to a Customs' union of the Australasian Colonies, it is submitted that the power to enter into reciprocal tariff arrangements is eminently calculated to promote that object. " For these reasons, and for others to which it is unnecessary to refer, the Conference urge the Secretary of State, without delay, to introduce the necessary measure into the Imperial Parliament, to enable any two or more of the Australasian Colonies to enter into reciprocal tariff arrangements, upon terms to which they may mutually agree." 2. Sir Henry Ayers gave notice of the following motion: —" That as inconvenience is caused through letters to the various Australian Colonies, posted for despatch by sea or overland, intercolonially, being charged at different rates of postage, one uniform rate be adopted of threepence for all letters, whether despatched overland or by ship ; also, that the several Australian Colonies adopt one uniform rate on parcels and book packets, whether for despatch by sea or overland, intercolonially, namely:— s. d. Not exceeding 1 oz. ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 1 1 oz. but not exceeding 2 oz. ... ... ... ... ... 0 2 2oz. „ ift. ... ... ... ... ... 0 4 ift. „ ilb. 0 8 ilb. „ lib. ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 ilb. „ lib. ... ... ... ... ... 1 4 and so on, increasing 4d. for each J ft. or fraction of i Ib." 3. Mr. Vogel handed in the reasons of the New Zealand Eepresentatives in favour of Melbourne being the terminus of the Suez Mail Service, which the Conference desired should be printed:— " From the outset, Victoria has declared that, unless Melbourne were made the terminus, she would not have anything to do with the service ; whilst New South Wales, until quite recently, did not contend that Sydney was the proper terminus, but seemed disposed rather to depend upon the decision of the other Colonies as to which terminus was most expedient. " The Eepresentatives of New Zealand consider that, unless Victoria join in the proposed service, it would be unsafe for New Zealand to consent to join upon any terms based on rateable contribution. " If Victoria take part in the service, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania must also do so, and the same may probably be said of Queensland and New South Wales: but without Victoria, or with that Colony starting a fast service by way of the Cape of Good Hope, the cost of the Galle Service must fall very heavily upon the contributing Colonies. This is not a new idea upon the part of New Zealand. That Colony was not influenced by South Australia or New South Wales's notice of withdrawal from the present Suez Service ; but the New Zealand Government sent home, with their notice to withdraw, a request to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that he would only hand it in to the contractors in case Victoria had given or should give notice of withdrawal. Within a few days of the New Zealand letter being written, Her Majesty's Postmaster-General, in London, wrote to the Lords of the Treasury in similar tone, evidently equally impressed with the importance of Victoria's adherence to the contract. He pointed out, that as Victoria had given notice, the Treasury was bound to do so. It is true that passing reference was made to the fact that South Australia had determined to retire from the contract, and it was also mentioned that New South Wales had given notice several years before ; but it was clearly implied that, unless Victoria had given notice, their Lordships would not have done so. In fact, as long as Victoria continued the service, the other Colonies, whether they approved of it or not, were bound to contribute to and use it. This was proved by the fact that, though New South Wales had given notice of withdrawal several years before, no one seemed to bo affected by it, and she was glad to continue her connection with the service. The argument is clear and conclusive. New Zealand wishes to have the use of the Galle Service ; she cannot safely join as a rateable contributor unless Victoria also join ; Victoria will not join unless Melbourne be made the terminus ; therefore, unless Melbourne be made the terminus, New Zealand cannot have the use of a service she desires. " The reasons why it would be dangerous for New Zealand to join in the Galle Service without Victoria, apply much more strongly to the cases of South Australia and Tasmania. New Zealand has