A.—4c,

this Act." Clause five, disagree : question fully considered at Convention. Clause fifteen, agree to omit line three; disagree with new subsection after (g), as substantially provided for under subsection (h) ; agree to new subsection after (h). Clause twenty, agree with amendments. Clause twenty-six, agree amendments first line ; disagree the other : matter fully discussed at Convention. Clause thirty-one, new clause, disagree with power to withdraw, as objectionable and unnecessary — objectionable because suggestive of disintegration, and unnecessary because object in view—namely, the non-concurrence of minority with majority —amply provided for under subsection (h), clause fifteen. Would be glad to have your views on whole matter. Mr. Douglas, Tasmania, likely to concur these views. I expect see Mr. Colton here next week. Melbourne, 29th January, 1885. James Seevice.

No. 69. The Premibe, Queensland, to the Premier, Now Zealand. The Governor has, at the request of Ministers, transmitted the following cable messages to the Secretary of State: " Scratchley's instructions have been received and carefully considered. My Government learn with surprise, only now, and indirectly, that it is expected that the whole of the expenditure in connection with New Guinea should be paid by the Australian Colonies. The Australian Colonies undertook to defray the expenses in the proportion required, on the understanding that Her Majesty's Government completed arrangements for the exercise of jurisdiction ; and Queensland most probably would have been willing to contribute towards the full amount if required. It was expected, on Scratchley's appointment, that full instructions would have been given us as to what was intended by Her Majesty's Government, what arrangements had been made for the exercise of jurisdiction, in what manner, and to what extent territorial, and by what law. The announcement of the proposed annexation has been received with much satisfaction. Fuller information is urgently required ; and it will be essential that 'which is intended by Her Majesty's Government be fully given before any decision is arrived at as to the increase or continuance of the contribution. Despatch follows by mail." Brisbane, 3rd February, 1885. J. A. Diokson.

No. 70. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 3rd February, 1885. I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Honorary Secretary of the Eoyal Colonial Institute, enclosing certain resolutions passed by the Council of the Institute on the subject of New Guinea. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. The Eotal Colonial Institute to the Agent-Genebal. Sik, — Eoyal Colonial Institute, 15, Strand, W.C., 29th January, 1885. I have the honour to enclose copies of resolutions on the subject of the annexation of New Guinea which were adopted by the Council of the Eoyal Colonial Institute at a meeting held on the 27th January, 1885, and request that you will be so good as to transmit them to your Government for their information. I have, &c, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Frederick Young, Agent-General for New Zealand. Honorary Secretary.

Sub-Enclosure. Annexation of New Guinea. At a meeting of the Council of the Eoyal Colonial Institute, held on Tuesday, 27th January 1835, the following resolutions were adopted : — 1. That the present unsatisfactory position of the New Guinea annexation question prompts the Council of the Eoyal Colonial Institute to consider and review their past action in this important matter. It appears that on April 29th, 1875, a deputation of the Council and Fellows waited on the Earl of Carnarvon, Secretary of State for the Colonies. The memorial presented on that occasion, praying that the shores of eastern New Guinea " should be added to the Empire without delay," pointed out that "it would be most prejudicial to our interests that any position on the shores of eastern New Guinea, or of the islands situated off its coasts . . . should belong to any other Power;" that "disputes respecting rights of fishing would inevitably arise;" that "it is impossible to estimate the extent of insecurity to the Australian portion of the Empire, and to British interests generally," should the territory fall " into the possession of a foreign State." The memorial further urged that " the secret of our strength and security in that quarter of the Empire lies in the fact that we have no one to interfere with us, and the only remaining extensive territory in which any other nation could take up a position of undesirable proximity is eastern New Guinea. Were such a Power established there, however amicable our relations with it might be, its presence would at once and for over entail upon the Imperial and the Australian Governments an increased expenditure for defences in time of peace which would' far exceed whatever might be the cost of our establishing our authority in the island. And should war

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