A.—4

18

No. 52. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 6th August, 1885. Much regret Federal Bill passed as described, which precludes New South Wales joining. Bill therefore now misnomer. It should be Federal Council part of Australasia.

No. 5. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premier, New South Wales. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist September, 1885. I have tho honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, and to thank you for the copy of the correspondence that has recently passed between the Premier of Victoria and yourself on the subject of the Federal Council of Australasia. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New South Wales, Sydney. Eobert Stout.

A.-4c', 1885, No. 140.

No. 6. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premier, Victoria. Our House of Eepresentatives passed following resolution to-day: " That in the opinion of this House it is inadvisable during the present session, and pending further consideration by the people of this colony of the important issues involved, to adopt legislation having for its object to join New Zealand in the Federal Council of Australasia." Bth September, 1885. Eobert Stout. [Same to Premier, New South Wales.]

No. 7. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premier, New South Wales. Sra, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th September, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, enclosing copy of correspondence that has taken place on the subject of the Federal Council of Australasia; for which I tender you my thanks. I now enclose, for your information, copies of correspondence on the same subject and the New Guinea protectorate which were recently presented to our Parliament. I have the honour also to enclose copy of the report of the debate in the House of Eepresentatives on the subject. You will observe that the Government accepted the following amendment to the resolution proposed by me —" That in the opinion of this House it is inadvisable during the present session, and pending further consideration by the people of the colony of the important issues involved, to adopt legislation having for its object to join New Zealand in the Federal Council of Australasia;" which was carried nem. con. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New South Wales, Sydney. Eobert Stout.

No. 4.

A.-4c, 1885. A.-4c*. 1885. Hansard, Sept. 7, 1885.

No. 8. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premier, Victoria. Sub, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th September, 1885. I have the honour to forward, for your information, copy of the report of the debate in the House of Eepresentatives on the subject of Federation. You will observe that the Government accepted the following amendment to the resolution proposed by me —" That in the opinion of this House it is inadvisable during the present session, and pending further consideration by the people of the colony of the important issues involved, to adopt legislation having for its object to join New Zealand in the Federal Council of Australasia;" which was carried nem. con. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. Eobert Stout.

Hansard, Sept. 7,1885.

No. 9. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 23rd September, 1885. I have the honour to forward, for your information, copy of the report of the debate in the House of Eepresentatives on the subject of Federation. You will observe that the Government accepted the following amendment—which was carried nem. con.— to the resolution proposed by me : " That in the opinion of this House it is inadvisable during the present session, and pending further consideration by the people of the colony of the important issues involved, to adopt legislation having for its object to join New Zealand in the Federal Council of Australasia." I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General. Eobert Stout.

Hansard, Sept. 7, 1885.