A.—3

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" Sie, — " Government House, Sydney, 22nd January, 1881. " I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, transmitting to me, by desire of the Conference, a copy of a resolution passed by the Conference, with extracts from the printed proceedings relative to the High Commission. These resolutions and proceedings I have telegraphed to Sir Arthur Gordon as requested. "I have, &c, "The Hon. Sir Henry Parkes, K.C.M.Gh, &c." " Augustus Loftus. " Sie, — " Government House, Sydney, 22nd January, 1881. " I have the honor to enclose a copy of a telegram from Sir A. Gordon, which I have to request you will be good enough to lay before the Conference. "I have, &c, " The Hon. Sir Henry Parkes, K.C.M.G., &c. " Augustus Loftus. " Government House, Sydney, 22nd January, 1881. " Copt of Telegbam from Sir A. Gobdon to Lord Augustus Loftus. " ' Please thank the Conference for the communication of the extract from the minutes, and inform them that I shall be happy to afford them any assistance and information they may desire in the prosecution of this inquiry. "' Dated from Cambridge, N.Z., 22nd January, 1881.' "Chairman of the Intercolonial Conference.—A.L. 22/1/81." Mr. Palmes brought up the following report from the Committee appointed " to consider the matters involved in Mr. Palmer's resolution, and to examine the papers relating to the appointment of the High Commissioner, and to report to this Conference ": — "Bepoet of the Committee appointed by the Intercolonial Conference 'to consider the matters involved in Mr. Palmer's resolution, and to examine the papers relating to the appointment of the High Commissioner, and to report to this Conference.' ."The Committee have to report to the Conference that, after careful consideration of the Imperial Acts on the subject of the protection of natives in the Pacific Islands, and having before them the Commission to Sir Arthur Gordon, the High Commissioner and Consul-General of the said islands, they are impressed with the opinion that the powers conferred under the said Acts and Commission are ineffectual for the protection of the lives and. property of the whites as against the natives, mainly owing to the absence of sufficient authority for the punishment of the latter for outrages committed by them. " The Committee are further of opinion that the numerous massacres and outrages in the Pacific Islands of late years have arisen from the lax measures taken to punish the natives, and the absence of Her Majesty's ships of war for long periods. " The Committee, having fully deliberated on the subject, have arrived at the following conclusions, which they earnestly recommend for adoption by the Conference :— "(1.) That it is not desirable the office of High Commissioner of the Pacific Islands should be vested in the Governor of any of the Australasian Colonies. "(2.) That the High Commissioner should reside in 3?iji, or one of the Islands of Polynesia. "(3.) That extended powers should be conferred upon the High Commissioner for the punishment of natives of the said islands for any crimes or offences committed by them against British subjects. "(4.) That in the case of convictions for felony, by the High Commissioner, appeal should be allowed to the Supreme Court of some one of the Australasian Colonies, selected at the discretion of the High Commissioner. "(5.j That the powers now exercised by the High Commissioner should be transferred, at an early date, to some Federal Court to be established in Australasia. "(6.) That the more frequent visits of Her Majesty's ships among the islands would have a beneficial effect upon the natives, and tend to lessen, in a great degree^ the crimes now so prevalent." Mr. Dick, Colonial Secretary of New Zealand, dissented from resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The Committee submitted certain papers bearing upon the subject of outrages in the Islands of the Pacific, which were ordered to be inserted in the Appendix. Mr. Palmee moved (seconded by Mr. Beeet), That the report of the Committee now read be adopted. Moved by Mr. Giblin (seconded by Mr. Palmee), That the further discussion of this matter be postponed until to-morrow. Mr. Chief Justice Weenfobdsley stated that, this being an Imperiarquestion, he declined to vote upon it. Chinese. Mr. Chief Justice Wbenfoedsley stated that, with respect to the Chinese question, he had received from His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia permission to inform the Conference^ unofficially, that the action re Chinese immigration is not new, a batch having been introduced in 1878> on the recommendation of the Legislature, approved by the Secretary of State. Pbdeeal Council Bill. After further discussion, — Mr. Mann moved (seconded by Mr. Giblin), That this Conference agrees generally with the provisions of the Bill submitted by Sir Henry Parkes, subject to the following modifications :— 1. The Council should consist of a number, not more than three Ministers of the Crown, appointed by the Governor of each represented colony, who, on ceasing to be Ministers, should also vacate their seats in the Council, whereupon other three or less number of Ministers should be appointed in their place.