9

A—2.

No. 10

Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I laid before the Earl of Derby your Lordship's Despatch No. 49, of the 15th October last, relative to the wishes of your Government in regard to the new Treaty of Commerce between this country and France, and I have the honor to enclose a copy of the reply, from which your Lordship will perceive that the commercial negotiations between this country and France have been suspended since May last, and it is uncertain when they will be resumed. I have, &c.j CARNARVON. Governor the Most Hon. the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 10. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, 31st December, 1877. I have laid before the Earl of Derby your letter of the 21st instant relative to the wishes of the Government of New Zealand in regard to the new Treaty of Commerce between this country and France. In reply, I am to state to you, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that the negotiations between this country and France have been suspended since May last, and that it is uncertain when they will be resumed. I am further to state that, when the negotiations are resumed, Lord Derby will cause an article relative to colonies and foreign possessions to be proposed to the French Government, in conformity with the terms of the Colonial Office letter of the 14th of August last. I have, &c., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 18th January, 1878. I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Eoreign Office, stating that Her Majesty's Government have concurred in the proposal of the Erench Government that the negotiations for a new Treaty of Commerce should continue to remain suspended. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government CARNARVON; of New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 11. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Foreign Office, January 10th, 1878. With reference to previous correspondence relative to the commercial negotiations between this country and France, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl of Carnarvon, a copy of a despatch from Lord Lyons, in which he reports a proposal on the part of the French Government that these negotiations, which have been in abeyance since May last, shall continue to be suspended. I am to request that you will state that, under the circumstances, Her Majesty's Government have instructed Lord Lyons to express their concurrence in this proposal. Lord Derby will, however, he ready to consult Lord Lyons in regard to any matters connected with the Colonial Office which Lord Carnarvon may wish to be taken up, independently of the general negotiation. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote, 2—A. 2.