A.—3.

18

We are satisfied that the publication of the fact that the Government of Western Australia is employing the public revenue for the introduction of natives of China to occupy the various avenues of labour —a course never at any time adopted by any of the colonies under parliamentary government —will create throughout the rest of Australasia a strong feeling of public disapprobation. The objection to the Chinese is not altogether one of prejudice of colour or race, but is founded on a rational view of the dangers to these British communities which might in the course of time flow from a people numbering more than 400,000,000, whose language, laws, religion, and habits of life are alien to those of Her Majesty's subjects in Australasia, and whose geographical position makes the danger more imminent. If Western Australia persists in her policy it cannot fail to engender among th.e people of the other colonies a sense of public injury and of resentment, and it is almost certain to lead to the enactment of laws imposing restrictions on communication between her ports and the other Australasian ports. It cannot be expected that the peojile who object to receiving Chinese immigrants direct from China will submit to their arrival by way of Western Australia. At a time when a disposition is growing up in the colonies to draw" more closely together the ties of political relationship, it is a matter for deep regret that the smallest colony of the group should take a course so calculated to cut her off from popular sympathy and to isolate her in her colonizing progress. We desire to urge upon your Lordship that the action of the Government of Western Australia cannot be regarded as other than opposed to the common interest in the social advancement of these colonies, and that, if it be continued, it must be attended by consequences which it is highly desirable to avoid; and we join in an earnest hope that Her Majesty's Government will take such steps as may be deemed expedient to procure its reversal. We have, &c, Henry Parkes, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, Chairman of Conference. Graham Berry, "\ Chief Secretary, / , r . , . William M. K. Vale, Attorney-General, J James Watson, )a t a ~ ~T , Colonial Treasurer, j New South Wales" Thomas Dick, ") , t „ , , Colonial Secretary, j* ew ZealandWilliam Morgan, "\ Chief Secretary, [ o , , A , -.. 0. Mann, ' { South Australia. Treasurer, J A. H. Palmer, "^ Colonial Secretary, ( , , Boyd D. Morehead, * \ Queensland. Postmaster-General, J . W. R. GIBLIN, S Colonial Treasurer, /rr W. Moore, \ lasmama. Colonial Secretary, ) Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 25th January, 1881.

Name, Occupation, and Address of Person requiring Immigrants. Number of Persons required of each description of Trade, &c. Where to be employed. Period for whicl Employment is guaranteed if Immigrant is qualified. Wages per Month offered, in addition to Food and Lodgings, to the satisfaction of Government. Remarks. ohn Smith, Farmer, Albany. 1 rough carpenter. 2 shepherds. 1 house servant. Kojonup. bo. Albany. One year, certain. £2 5 2 0 1 15 0 0 0