35

A.—s

There are two principal conditions as to which it would be necessary for Her Majesty's Government to be in a position to give satisfactory assurances to Parliament when the vote is asked for, namely, — 1. That the colonies interested, or some or one of them, secure by enactment, in terms to be approved by Her Majesty's Government, the annual sum of £15,000 in aid of the expenses of the New Guinea administration and protectorate ; such portion only of that sum to be drawn and expended in each year as Her Majesty's Government may decide to be necessary. 2. That due provision is made for the protection of the natives in the occupation of their lands, no alienation of native lands being permitted except upon the express recommendation of the Administrator. Sir S. Griffith's scheme for the administration of the country appears to Her Majesty's Government to be generally well considered, and to afford a good basis of settlement. Colonial Office, March, 1887.

No. 5. [Extract from the Times, Saturday, 14th May, 1887.] House op Commons.—British New Guinea. Sir G. Campbell asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Govern" ment proposed to transfer the administration of the part of New Guinea claimed by this country to the Australian Colonies, or to Queensland in particular; and, if so, whether, considering the magnitude of the question and. its effect on the native races, an opportunity would be given to Parliament to express an opinion before such a measure was carried out; and whether, in any case, the proposed scheme would be submitted for the sanction of the British Legislature in the same way that it was to be submitted for the sanction of the colonial Legislatures. Sir H. Holland.—The Government of New Guinea will be administered by an officer appointed by and responsible to Her Majesty's Government, and he will be guided by the instructions of the Governor of Queensland. The Governor of Queensland will be directed to consult his Government upon all matters relating to British New Guinea, but will not be absolutely bound by their opinions. The scheme will have to be approved by the colonial Governments, and legislation will be necessary in Queensland. The details of the scheme will shortly be placed before Parliament, so that an opinion may be expressed upon it before it is carried out; but the formal sanction of Parliament is not required. A vote will have to be taken in due course of time.

[Extract from the Times, Friday, 19th August, 1887.1 Mr. J. Coebett asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any provision or stipulation was made, when the settlement of the New Guinea question was discussed at the late Conference, for throwing New Guinea (British) open to British trade; whether, on the proclamation of Her Majesty's sovereignty, encouragement and protection would be given to pioneers willing to invest capital in promoting trade and in developing the natural resources of the country ; had Her Majesty's Government received any proposals or applications from responsible persons desirous of promoting settlements in New Guinea; and had any feasible schemes for New Guinea development been submitted for the consideration of Her Majestj^'s Government by persons of local knowledge and well accredited from the colonies, and with what result ? Sir H. Holland. —This subject was not discussed at the Colonial Conference ; and the extent to which pioneer settlers can be encouraged will depend upon local considerations, the principal of which is the necessity of protecting the natives from undue interference with their lands. Her Majesty's Government have received, through the Special Commissioner for New Guinea and otherwise, proposals from persons acquainted with the country who desire to promote trade and settlement. It is not proposed to deal with these applications until Her Majesty's sovereignty has been proclaimed, when they will be referred to the Administrator of New Guinea for careful consideration and report; and until then the Government cannot pronounce an opinion upon their feasibility. Sir G. Campbell asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether an opportunity would be given to Parliament of expressing an opinion before Her Majesty was ' advised to assume sovereignty in New Guinea, and to hand the control over the administration of the portion of New Guinea thus appropriated to the Government of Queensland, subject to certain reservations. Sir H. Holland. —Her Majesty's Government have agreed that upon the passing of a Bill by the Queensland Legislature, the terms of which will be found at pages 209 and 210 of the Appendix to the Colonial Conference, Her Majesty will be advised to assume sovereignty over the present Protectorate. It is believed that the Bill will shortly be passed, but the date is not known. It is considered important in the interest of the natives that there should be no delay in declaring sovereignty after the Bill has passed. Although no special day can be given for a discussion upon this subject, there are, as the honourable member knows, opportunities upon which he can raise the question before Parliament rises. No formal sanction of Parliament is required before sovereignty is proclaimed, but a vote will have to be taken in due course of time for the steam-vessel and its maintenance.

No. 6. The Pkemiee, Queensland, to the Pkemiee, New Zealand. Sic, — Chief Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 12th November, 1887. I have the honour to forward to you the enclosed copies of the British New Guinea (Queensland) Act of 1887, which has just been passed by the Legislature of this colony, and to