A.—3

17

Vote of Thanks. Moved by Mr. Moegan (seconded by Mr. Palmes), That the thanks of the Conference be given to the Hon. Sir Henry Parkes for the services rendered by him as President of the Conference.—Agreed to unanimously. The Conference then adjourned sine die. Heney Paekes, Chairman.

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. [Bills agreed to by the Conference.]

APPENDIX B. [Bills considered but not agreed to by the Conference.]

APPENDIX C. Remonstrance addressed to the Secretary of State against the Introduction of Chinese by the Government of Western Australia at the Public Expense, as executed by Members of Conference. To the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley, P.0., &c, &c, &c. 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 our respective signatures, have the honor to respectfully approach your Lordship as Her Most Gracious Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to represent to your Lordship certain transactions now taking place in Western Australia, which we consider highly prejudicial to the best interests of Her Majesty's free and loyal subjects in this part of the world. As a preliminary explanation, we desire to point out that the computed population of the six colonies we represent is over 2,500,000, while the population of the Crown Colony of Western Australia is under 30,000 souls. In all the six colonies a strong feeling prevails in opposition to the unrestricted introduction of Chinese, this opposition arising principally from a desire to preserve and perpetuate the British type in the various populations. In several of the colonies stringent measures have been passed at different times to restrict the influx of Chinese immigrants even at their own expense. In Queensland a law of this restrictive character exists at the present time, in New South Wales a similar Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly not two years ago, though it was subsequently lost in the Legislative Council, and in South Australia a similar measure was twice passed by the House of Assembly last year. The present Conference has been convened to consider, amongst other things, the subject of Chinese immigration, and a resolution has been agreed to '■' recommending uniform legislation on the part of all the colonies to restrict the influx of Chinese into these colonies." It is while sitting in Conference that we learn for the first time that the small and remote Colony of Western Australia is introducing Chinese at the public expense. In the Government Gazette of that colony of the 28th December last the following notice was published :— " Chinese Immigrants. " Colonial Secretary's Office, " Perth, 28th December, 1880. " The Legislature having sanctioned the introduction of Chinese immigrants into the colony at the public expense, the Q-overnment is prepared to receive applications from settlers who may be desirous of employing such immigrants as farm labourers, shepherds, gardeners, mechanics, or domestic servants ; application to be made in writing on the following form, copies of which may be obtained at the Offices of the Colonial Secretary and the various Resident Magistrates. Fifty immigrants must be applied for before action can be taken by Government. The immigrants to be taken over from the Government Immigration Agent immediately on arrival, free of expense to the Government. " By His Excellency's Command. " Giffobd, Colonial Secretary." 3