A.—3a

1884. NEW ZEALAND.

CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (CORRESPONDENCE AS TO HOLDING AN INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE OR CONVENTION.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Peemiee, Queensland, to the Colonial Seceetaet, New Zealand. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 17th July, 1883. I have the honour to forward to you the enclosed copy of an extract from the minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Council of this Colony, of this date, embodying a memorandum by myself, on the refusal of the Imperial Government to confirm the recent annexation of the Island of New Guinea; and to request that you will be good enough to favour me with the views of your Government thereupon, and to take such steps as you may consider necessary to move the Imperial Government to an early reconsideration of their decision against the annexation of this valuable territory. I have, &c. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. Thomas Mcllweaith.

See A.-3, p. 67, Appendix B.

No. 2. The Pbemieb, New Zealand, to the Peemieb, Queensland. Hon. Peemiee, Brisbane. New Zealand Government opinion that pressing annexation of all New Guinea cannot succeed: but that the portion opposite Australia should be annexed Queensland. New Zealand will send delegate proposed Conference, Melbourne. Peed. Whitakee, Premier. Wellington, August 23rd.

No. 3. The Peemiee, Victoria, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Hon. the Peemiee, Wellington. I have been requested by Sir Thomas Mcllwraith to act as Convener of proposed Convention of Delegates re Annexation and Federation. Other Colonies have consented except Tasmania, which will probably join. Am now awaiting your reply. When may your decision be expected? James Seevice, Premier. Melbourne, August 17th.

No. 4. The Pbemieb, New Zealand, to the Peemiee, Victoria. Hon. Peemiee, Melbourne. New Zealand will join other Colonies in Conference on Annexation, but cannot- send delegate until prorogation Parliament now sitting, probably about fortnight hence. Feed. Whitakee, Premier. Wellington, August 23rd.

Note. —Other preliminary correspondence is printed in A.-3, commencing at p. 49. For " Commissions of the several Representatives," see A.--3, p. 45.