A.—4c.

And this brings me to the last word I have to say. I should be wanting in candour if I did not avow how much I had been stung by an order suddenly conveyed to me in so peremptory a tone. However great and manifold have been the imperfections (and no one could possibly be more sensible of them than I) of the part I have taken in the cause of extending the power of England in the Pacific, it was at least inspired by a sincere devotion, and guided by an unsparing toil. In it I was helped by the confiding generosity of all my colleagues. We strove to create an interest in the story we had to tell ; to enlist a friendly public opinion on our side ; to engage the sympathy of many statesmen of the two great parties ; to present our case in a spirit of patience, dignity and moderation ; and, while firmly maintaining the rights of Australasia, to be not unmindful of the immense cares that were weighing upon Her Majesty's Ministers. For the times were and are certainly critical. We stand at the parting of the ways. If the destiny is manifest which assures to Australasia the dominion of the Pacific, the chief care of us all must be that this destiny be not marred by any quarrel between the Imperial and Colonial Governments, or by small dissensions among ourselves. A vast amount of work has yet to be done, some of which must unavoidably be left to the persons who represent the colonies in England; but the humble share that may yet be left in it to me must be an utterly useless one if the trust of my own Government is not reposed in me. I have striven to keep for New Zealand that foremost place in every question relating to the Pacific Islands which nearly forty years ago was first assigned to her by the patriotic insight of Sir George Grey ; and if that place is to be yielded now, I am not willing that in our future history its surrender should have to be ascribed to me. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. The Agents-Geneeal to the Eight Hon. the Seceetaby of State for the Colonies. My Loed,— Bth October, 1884. With reference to the request made by the Agents-General for New South Wales, New Zealand, Victoria, and Queensland, in a letter dated the 23rd July, that they might be favoured with a reply to the proposals in regard to the Western Pacific discussed at their previous interview with your Lordship, and upon which they understood you then intended to take the immediate decision of the Cabinet, we have the honour to request that you will favour us with an interview at as early a date as may be convenient. During the time since elapsed some of us have been pressed by our Governments to ascertain the decision of Her Majesty's Ministers, as they have been unable to give any information on the subject to their respective Parliaments, which are still in session. Your Lordship will not fail to observe that, for the first time, the whole of the Australasian Colonies join in this request. We have, &c, Abthub Blyth, Agent-General for South Australia. Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. F. D. Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand. Eobeet Mueeay-Smith, Agent-General for Victoria. James F. Gaeeick, Agent-General for Queensland. By authority and on behalf of the Colony of Tasmania, Eobeet Mueeay-Smith.

No. '20. The Agent-Genekal to the Peemiee. Guinea.—lnstructions are being sent to Commodore at Sydney to proclaim British protectorate on southern shores of Guinea and immediately-adjacent islands, in accordance with Mr. Gladstone's statement in House of Commons eleventh August. Probably official letter will come from Colonial Office to all Agents-General to-morrow or Saturday. 9th October, 1884. F. D. Bell.

No. 21. The Agent-Geneeal to the Pbemieb. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 10th October, 1884. I was able to send you yesterday the cablegram of which copy is annexed, containing the information that the Commodore had been ordered to proclaim the promised protectorate over the south coast of New Guinea. The first step has therefore been taken at last by Her Majesty's Government; but it stops far short of the point where, sooner or later, it will have to be extended. The Agents-General may, perhaps, be able to make some impression on Lord Derby in that direction if he gives us the interview we have asked for; but, for my own part, and for reasons which lam unable to disclose, I enter-

See No. 20,

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