A.—6

22

besides New Zealand, and tho foreign treaties of the Empire are infringed; and if these do not constitute matters of Imperial concern, the Colony of Victoria regards its relations to the Empire in a different light from that in which those relations are regarded in New Zealand. This Colony has uniformly maintained the amount of independence the Constitution permits it, but it has never given way to a fretful impatience at tho exercise of the powers which legitimately remain in the hands of Her Majesty's Government. I am sorry that I have been the means of wounding tho sensibilities of the Chief Secretary. Whilst disclaiming any intention or desire to do so, I have still to repeat that it seems to me impossible the Government of New Zealand can relinquish the right to regard as a matter of Imperial concern any action of another Colony which illegally affects New Zealand. Wellington, 4th June, 1874. Julius Vogel.

♦ NEW SOUTH WALES. The Hon. the Colonial Secbetabt, New South "Wales, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. (No. 325.) Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 22nd July, 1873. I have the honor to enclose, for the information of your Government, a copy of a Proclamation which has been issued by tho Government of this Colony, prohibiting the introduction into New South Wales of any stock, fodder, or fittings from New Zealand, until such time as your Government shall have taken tho requisite steps, in accordance with the decision of the late Intercolonial Conference, to guard against the introduction of rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease into your Colony. I have, &c., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. Henry Parkes. Enclosure. Proclamation. [Prohibiting the Introduction into New South Wales of Cattle, fyc, from New Zealand.] New South "Wales, ") By His Excellency Sir Hercules George Eobert Bobinson, Knight Commander to wit. 3 of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of tho Colony of New South Wales and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Hercules Eobinson, Governor. Whereas by section ten of an Act of the Parliament of New South Wales, passed in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Her present Majesty, entitled " The Imported Stock Act of 1871," and numbered six, it is enacted that the Governor may, by proclamation in the Government Gazette, restrict or absolutely prohibit for any specified time the importation or introduction of any stock, fodder, or fittings from any other colony or country in which there is reason to believe any infectious or contagious disease in stock exists: And whereas it was agreed at the Intercolonial Conference held in Sydney in February last, that all the Australian' Colonies should join in a prohibition for two years, to guard against the introduction of rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease into the Australian Colonies, a proclamation was issued on the seventeenth day of April last, and forwarded to the Agent-General of this Colony for publication in the London Times, prohibiting the introduction of all stock, fodder, or fittings from any colony or country other than the Colonies of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand : And whereas all the Colonies hereinbefore mentioned, excepting New Zealand, have issued similar proclamations: Now therefore, I, Sir Hercules George Eobert Eobinson, the Governor aforesaid, do, by this my proclamation, hereby totally prohibit the introduction into New South Wales of any stock, fodder, or fittings from the Colony of New Zealand, until such time as tho Government of that Colony shall have issued a proclamation, and published the same in the London Times, prohibiting the introduction of all stock, fodder, or fittings as before mentioned into that Colony. Given under my hand and seal at Government House, Sydney, this eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, and in the thirty-seventh year of Her Majesty's reign. By His Excellency's command. (1.5.) James S. Farnell. God sate the Queen! The following is the proclamation of 17th April, 1873, referred to in the above:— Proclamation. [Prohibiting the Importation into New South Wales of Cattle, Sfc., from beyond the Australasian Colonies, .] New South Wales, ") By His Excellency Sir Hercules George Eobert Eobinson, Knight Commander to wit. ) of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of New South Wales and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Hercules Eobinson, Governor. Whereas by section ten of an Act of the Parliament of New South Wales, passed in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Her present Majesty, entitled " The Imported Stock Act of 1871," and numbered six, it is enacted that the Governor may, by Proclamation in the Government Gazette, restrict or absolutely prohibit for any specified time the importation or introduction of any stock, fodder, or fittings