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dealing with a difficulty which threatens to become a calamity. As these colonies form an important part of the Empire, it is submitted that our cause of contention is of sufficient national concern to be taken up by the Empire. If we have no voice in the making of treaties it seems only just that our interests should be considered and protected by those who exercise that power. We learn by public report that the Government of the United States has entered into a treaty with the Government of China, by which Chinese immigration into America is no longer permitted. We fail to see why Australia may not be similarly protected. We desire, on behalf of this colony, through your Excellency, to impress upon Her Majesty's Imperial Advisers the more prominent phases of the Chinese question, as it specially and almost exclusively affects the Australian section of the British people. (1.) The Australian ports are within easy sail of the ports of China. (2.) The climate, as well as certain branches of trade and industry in Australia, such as the cultivation of the soil for domestic purposes, and tin- and goldmining, are peculiarly attractive to the Chinese. (3.) The working-classes of the British people in all the affinities of race are directly opposed to their Chinese competitors. (4.) There can be no sympathy, and in the future it is to be apprehended that there will be no peace, between the two races. (5.) The enormous number of the Chinese population intensifies every consideration of this class of immigration in comparison with the immigration of any other nation. (6.) The most prevailing determination in all the Australian communities is to preserve the British type in the population. (7.) There can be no interchange of ideas of religion or citizenship, nor can there be intermarriage or social communion between the British and Chinese. It is respectfully submitted that the examination of these principal phases of the question can only lead to one conclusion— namely, that the Chinese must be restricted from emigrating to any part of Australasia. It will be seen that, while the question scarcely touches the people of the United Kingdom, it vitally concerns these great colonies, whose importance in their political and commercial relations entitles them to be protected by the diplomatic influence and the powers of treaty which belong to the Empire. With renewed expressions of our loyal attachment to Her Majesty, we urge that immediate steps be taken to open such negotiations with the Emperor of China as will result in permanent security to the Australian Colonies from the disturbance of Chinese immigration in any form. The matter is too grave and urgent to admit of long delay. However desirable it may be to avoid the irritation and conflicts of interests which may arise from local legislation of a drastic character, if protection cannot be afforded as now sought, the Australian Parliaments must act from the force of public opinion in devising measures to defend the colonies from consequences which they cannot relax in their efforts to avert. 31st March, 1888. Heney Paekes (for Cabinet).

No. 5. The Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Pebmiee, New Zealand. The Premier of New Zealand, Wanganui. (Eeaddressed Ist May, 1888.) S.s. " Afghan " with large cargo Chinese passengers for various ports in Australasia; a large number for ports in New Zealand. " Afghan " proposes to tranship them in vessels bound for New Zealand ports. None of the Chinese have been landed here in consequence of objections taken. If you object to Chinese being transhipped to New Zealand should inform Union Company, Dunedin, at once. D- Gillies, Premier, Melbourne.

No. 6. The Hon. the Premieh, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne. The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. 4th May, 1888. Thanks telegram re Chinese. Communicated directly Union Company but too late. Wish act unity other colonies. Shall be obliged if you will send full particulars what your Government proposes doing re question generally, and what other colonies are doing. H. A. Atkinson, Premier.

No. 7. The Hon. the Pkemiee, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Peemieb, New Zealand. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. Melbourne, 4th May, 1888. I will state shortly your telegram on 4th what we have done in cases of immigrants (Chinese) brought to this port. The steamship " Afghan " arrived in the port of Melbourne on the 27th April ultimo with sixty-eight immigrants (Chinese) on board. Some were for Melbourne, others for various Australasian ports. No vessel is entitled to bring into any port in Victoria more than one immigrant for every 100 tons of the tonnage of the vessel, unless such immigrant produces evidence to the satisfaction of the Collector of Customs that he is a British subject. Any such vessel arriving having on board a greater number of immigrants than herein stated is liable to a penalty of £100 for every immigrant on board in excess of the limitation. All the naturalisationpapers which were tendered to the Collector of Customs were examined, and the immigrants who presented them failed to produce evidence to satisfy that officer that such immigrants were the persons to whom such papers were issued ; and in nearly every case fraud was apparent. It is well known that large numbers of letters of naturalisation have been used fraudulently, and have been presented by persons to whom they were not issued. It was publicly intimated on several occasions