13

A.—3

" Report 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 had before them the Commission to Sir Arthur Gordon, the High Commissioner and Consul-General of the Western Pacific Islands, they have agreed to the following resolutions : —■ " (1.) That it is not desirable that the office of High Commissioner of the "Western Pacific Islands should be vested in the Governor of any of the Australasian Colonies. " (2.) That more effectual means should be devised for the punishment of natives of the said islands for any crimes or offences committed by them against British subjects. " (3.) That, in the case of capital convictions by the High Commissioner's Court, appeal should be allowed to the Supreme Court of some one of the Australasian Colonies, to be selected by the High Commissioner. " (4.) That the more frequent visits of Her Majesty's ships among the islands would tend to lessen in a great degree the crimes now so prevalent." Mr. Dice, Colonial Secretary of New Zealand, dissented from the first resolution. Mr. Palmer moved (seconded by Mr. Mooee), That Her Majesty's Government be moved to take the necessary measures to give effect to the foregoing resolutions. Western- Australia declined to vote, except on No. 2, which the representative of that colony voted for. At the request of the Conference, the Chairman undertook to move His Excellency the Governor to communicate with Her Majesty's Government on the subject, and to forward the resolutions as agreed upon. Intercolonial Free-Trade. Mr. Mann moved (seconded by Mr. Morgan), That, with a view of practically testing to some extent the feasibility of intercolonial free-trade,1 this Conference agrees that all wines, the product of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, shall be admitted into each of those colonies free of duty. This arrangement to be subject to determination on three months' notice by any of the colonies interested. Before this motion was put, Mr. Watson moved (seconded by Mr. Giblin), That it is undesirable to deal with the question involved in Mr. Mann's resolution until all the products of all the colonies are included. Mr. Beery then moved, as tin amendment, That after the word " products " there be inserted " and manufactures." Question put, That the words proposed be inserted. Ayes. Noes. Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland. South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand. Western Australia declined to vote. Mr. Watson's motion was then put and negatived. Ayes. Noes. New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania. Queensland, South Australia, New Zealand. Western Australia declined to vote. Original question put, That, with a view of practically testing to some extent the feasibility of intercolonial free-trade, this Conference agrees that all wines, the product of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, shall be admitted into each of those colonies free of duty. This arrangement to be subject to determination on three months' notice by any of the colonies interested. Aye. Noes. South Australia. Victoria, New South Wales. The other representatives declined to vote. Chinese Immigration. The Chairman brought up a draft Bill which he had undertaken to have prepared to restrict the influx of Chinese. Mr. Palmer also submitted a copy of the Queensland Act, "To regulate the Immigration of Chinese, and to make provision against their becoming a charge upon the Colony." After consideration it was agreed that South Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand would confer with the representatives of Queensland in order to adopt the legislation of that colony; and that Victoria would confer with the representatives of New South Wales in order to adopt uniform legislation on the basis of the Bill submitted by Sir Henry Parkes; Western Australia not assenting to either course. The report of the Committee appointed to prepare a form of representation to the Imperial Government on the subject of Chinese immigration into Western Australia was read to the Conference by the Secretary, as follows : — " To the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley, &c, &e. " The undersigned, members of a Conference of all the Australasian Governments, now sitting in Sydney, and the duly accredited representatives of the colonies named after pur respective signatures,