A.—s

16

No. 19. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1886. Eeferring to my letter of the 19th ultimo relating to the New Hebrides, I have now the honour to inform you that, after repeated adjournments and a long debate yesterday, the following resolutions, moved by the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, were carried by a considerable majority : — " That the Government be requested to represent to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies that this House — " 1. Eecognizes the difficulties with which Her Majesty's Government have had to contend in dealing with questions relative to the Pacific Islands, and especially the New Hebrides Group, and hopes that the expression of its opinion on the subject will not bo without use. " 2. Strongly urges Her Majesty's Government not to consent to the New Hebrides being temporarily occupied by any foreign nation on any pretext whatever. " 3. Considers that the many interests concerned would be best served by continuing the terms of the present understanding under which England and France have mutually agreed that neither country shall annex the group. " 4. Is of opinion that if, for reasons known to Her Majesty's Government, it is considered highly expedient to arrange for the annexation of the New Hebrides by France, efficient guarantee by treaty should be taken— (a) That no more convicts of any class be sent by France to any of her possessions in the Western Pacific ; (b) that protection, religious freedom, and peaceable possession of their rights and properties be guaranteed to all British subjects residing in or resorting to the New Hebrides, and especially to the missions established there ; (c) that freedom of trade and commerce be guaranteed to British subjects equally with those of France; (d) that the Island of Eapa be ceded by France to Great Britain, and all objections be waived to Great Britain annexing Earotonga and adjacent islands. "5. Is of opinion that the labour traffic of the islands, if continued, should be so controlled as to prohibit employing labourers without their consent, to prevent their ill-treatment, and to provide for their return to their homes after their contracts of service have expired." Certain other amendments by the Hon. Mr. Eolleston and Mr. Barron, in addition to those mentioned in my previous letter, were lost on division. The Presbyterian Church has, as might have been expected, objected in the strongest terms. I enclose copy of the Moderator's letter and of several other letters on the subject I have received. The substance of the resolutions has been wired this morning by His Excellency to the Secretary of State. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8., Agent-General. Eobert Stout.

No. 15,

A.-sc, 1886, No. 70.

No. 20. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premiers, Victoria and New South Wales. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1886. I do myself the honour to inform you that last night the House of Eepresentatives passed the enclosed resolutions relating to the New Hebrides. The matter is still under consideration by the Legislative Council, but I expect that to-morrow similar resolutions will be adopted by that body. I have, &c, Eobebt Stout.

No. 19,

No. 21. The Agent-Geneeal to the Premier. Sic, —■ 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 2nd July, 1886. Very soon after writing to you on the 17th June (No. 761), Her Majesty's Government received renewed assurances from M. de Freycinet that France disclaimed any intention of annexing the New Hebrides, and that orders had been cabled to the Governor of Now Caledonia to discontinue flying the tricolour there. Hardly had this taken place when telegrams arrived from the Governor of Queensland and the Admiral on the Australian station to the effect that nothing had really been done by the French military detachment at the islands which could be construed into an act of taking possession. I telegraphed to you on the 19th to this effect, adding that I had reason to believe the French Government would soon make some fresh proposals to Her Majesty's Government, and asking you to be pleased to instruct me whether I was to maintain the same attitude as I had hitherto done ; because the instructions received by the Agents-General for Victoria and New South Wales were widely different, and constant inquiries were being made as to the course New Zealand would decide to take. The San Francisco mail brought me yesterday your despatch of the 22nd May transmitting the resolutions moved in the House of Eepresentatives by Sir George Grey, with the advance-sheets of the debate that ensued; and I also received, later in the day, your telegram informing me that the House had come to certain resolutions which had been cabled to the Secretary of State by the Governor. His Excellency's telegram was immediately communicated to me by the Colonial Office. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 13,

No. 16,

A.-50, 1886, No. 05.