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No. 11. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-Genekal. (Xo. 223.) Sir, —■ Immigration Office, "Wellington, 21st October, 1573. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 496, of 11th July, commenting upon the instructions given you with regard to granting more liberal terms to emigrants. I do not recognize the inconsistency of the two passages you quote from Mr. O'Rorke's Memoranda. In his first Memorandum he reminded you of the authority you possessed, and expressed the opinion that unless you found it necessary you would not use it. In "the second he complained that notwithstanding the necessity having arisen, you did not avail yourself of the authority. Since I have given you directions until further instructed to grant free passages, I may observe that Ido not concur in the objections you seem to see to such a course. In the Despatch under notice you refer to your Despatch of 16th May. In that Despatch I find you urge certain reasons against adopting a system of free emigration. The substance of your objections I understand to be that persons who have already emigrated would have reason to object if others subsequently had better terms offered them. As well might the person who sold Consols to-day object to deliver because to-morrow the market rate increased, or as well might those who have paid their own passage to the Colony object to assisted immigration in any shape, as the persons already assisted object to your offering larger assistance to others. It must be clearly understood that the Government of New Zealand arc at liberty to fix their own conditions at any time, and from time to time, for assisting or promoting immigration, fulfilling of course any existing contracts. It may suit the Colony to grant free passages sometimes, and at other times assisted passages on more or less favourable terms. In each case there is a bargain as to thepresent, without any restraint as to the future. In respect to Messrs. Brogden's contract, the only effect it appears to me that a sj-stcm of freepassages would have on it would be, that supposing they continued to carry on their contract they might feel it difficult to procure emigrants on the terms they were empowered to give, and therefore might ask you in respect to such additional emigrants to sanction more favourable terms. Similar remarks apply to the German contracts. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

No. 12. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agevi-General. (No. 227.) Slß,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 21st October, 1573. "With reference to the proposed special settlement in the Province of Auckland, under the leadership of Mr. Stewart, the Government have received your letter No. 50G, of 11th July last, and your cablegram of 26th August, informing them that you are in communication with Mr. Stewart, and that you will send full particulars by post. I have to express my gratification to find that (he scheme is not likely to fall through, as was at one time apprehended in the Colony, and that you have assured Mr. Stewart of your readiness to afford him all the assistance in your power in the promotion of his scheme. I presume that at the date of your cablegram of 26th August, you were in receipt of Hon. Dr. Pollen's cablegram of 7th August, and that there will be no difficulty in giving effect to the wishes of the Government with regard to this scheme, to which they attach great importance. It must, however, be olearly understood that the settlement is in no way to bo connected with any party organization. Ido not object to emigrants being bound together by a common religious belief. Such a tie, as witness the settlements of Otago and Canterbur7, is often most efficacious in laying the foundations of a contented, orderly, successful, and well-conducted community. But the organization to winch Mr. Stewart refers is one, I believe, which does not confine itself to the adoption of a religious belief, but is also based on hostility to the followers of another creed. I am sure, however, in this matter you will readily understand my views, knowing as you do that perfect religious freedom prevails in the Colony. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

No. 13. The Hon. J. Vogel to the Agent-General. (No. 228.) Sin, — Immigration Office, "Wellington, 21st October, 1873. I have the honor lo acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 30th July, No. 525, explanatory of the dismissal of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Faro all. I have not any observation to make with respect to the course which, in pursuance of the discretion left to you, you have adopted with those three gentlemen. . The printed circular, signed " George Yesey Stewart," which you enclosed in your letter, is open to the objection that it contains an appeal to a party organization, with which, as also against which, it would not be right the Government should be identified. There is one passage of 3 rour letter upon which I desire to remark. Tou write, " I have already complained of the manner in which these appointments (of Messrs. Birch, Seaton, and Farnall) were made, without my having been communicated with or consulted on the subject; and I have more than once, in my correspondence with the Government, expressed my conviction that the appointments were wholly unnecessary, and that no adequate results would follow."