A.—s

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE (MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR ENCLOSING MEMORANDA RELATING TO A).

MESSAGE. NOHMAITBT, Governor. The Governor regrets that he is unable to give a definite reply to the address presented to him by the House of Eepresentatives announcing the concurrence of the House in the report of a Select Committee appointed to search for precedents, and to report to the House in relation to the question of privilege raised by Mr. Stout, " That the action of His Excellency the Governor, in noticing a matter in agitation or debate in the House as a reason for refusing to accede to advice tendered by his Ministers, was an infringement of the privileges of the House," because, in the course of a correspondence which has taken place between himself and the Government, which correspondence he now presents to Parliament, a question of constitutional law has arisen, which the Governor considers it is absolutely necessary should be submitted for the consideration of the Secretary of State for the Colonies before he can take upon himself to accept the resolution passed by the House of Eepresentatives. The Governor begs to assure the House that he does this out of no disrespect to their decision but simply in defence of what he believes to be a most important constitutional principle. If the Governor should be wrong in the conclusion he has formed, he can assure the House that nothing was further from his intention than in any way to trench upon their privileges. "Wellington, Bth November, 1877.

Enclosures. No. 1. His Excellency the Governor to the Hon. Sir George Gret, K.C.B. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and requests that he will have the goodness to lay the accompanying message before the House at the earliest opportunity. sth November, 1877. MESSAGE. Governor. The Governor acknowledges the receipt of an address from the House of Eepresentatives announcing the concurrence of the House in the report of a Select Committee appointed to search for precedents, and to report to the House in relation to the question of privilege raised by Mr. Stout, " That the' action of His Excellency the Governor, in noticing a matter in agitation or debate in the House as a reason for refusing to accede to advice tendered by his Ministers, was an infringement of the privileges of the House." The Governor begs to inform the House that he has forwarded the same to his Constitutional Advisers, and that as soon as he has received the advice of his Ministers he will forward his reply to the House of Eepresentatives. Government House, Wellington, sth November, 1877.

No. 2. His Excellency the Goyernor to the Hon. Sir George Gret, K.C.B. The Governor requests that Ministers will forward to him their advice as to the answer which he should return to the enclosed address from the House of Representatives. The Governor is sure that he need not point out to the Government that it is desirable that the reply should be given with as little delay as possible. Government House, N. "Wellington, sth November, 1877.