A.—6

4

by the Government that in all these cases the greatest care would be taken to enforce the law. It is beyond doubt that there are a large number of immigrants on board the " Afghan " in excess of the limitation provided by law for a vessel to bring to this port. There are some twelve immigrants who are entitled to land on payment of the poll-tax of £10 each. The Commissioner of Trade and Customs has intimated to the master of the vessel through the agents that as soon as those twelve land he will at once take steps to enforce the penalty in the case of every immigrant in excess of the number which the " Afghan " was entitled to bring to this port. But the Commissioner has been given to understand that the right to land these immigrants is not to be insisted on. The " Afghan" left yesterday without having landed any of the immigrants she had on board. Another vessel, the steamship " Burrumbut," arrived here a few days ago with fourteen immigrants (Chinese), who were transhipped at Sydney from a vessel from Hongkong. Some may have been entitled to land, the others were not; and to prevent trouble and inconvenience it was arranged that the fourteen should be transhipped into another vessel bound to China, their passages being paid. This was done with the consent and approval of the immigrants themselves. The Government has issued a Proclamation taking power to quarantine any vessel coming from certain ports named, together with Chinese and other Eastern ports, until such vessel and passengers be released by the Health Officer. South Australia quarantined a vessel from China carrying immigrants (Chinese) on board, and it appears from the Press that the Government of New South Wales proposes to adopt somewhat the same course as this Government has done in the cases referred to. In the course we have taken we have strictly kept within the limits of the law. Copy of the Proclamation referred to will be forwarded. _ D. Gillies, Premier, Melbourne.

No. 8. The Hon. the Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Pkemiee, Melbourne. The Hon. the Premier, Melbourne. Bth May, 1888. Chinese. —Be good enough to wire the names of the ports in your Proclamation coming from which vessels are to quarantine. H. A. Atkinson, Premier.

No. 9. The Hon. the Peemiee, Melbourne, to the Hon. the Peemiee, New Zealand. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. Bth May, 1888. Youe telegram Chinese. Proclamation mentions Hongkong, Singapore, together with Chinese and other Eastern ports as infected ports ; and directs that all intercolonial and other vessels bringing Chinese passengers to Victorian ports be detained by Health Officer until released by said officer. D. Gillies, Melbourne.

No. 10. The Hon. the Peemieb, Adelaide, to the Hon. the Peemiee, New Zealand. The Hon. the Premier, New Zealand. 9th May, 1888. It occurs to the South Australian Ministry that in the present aspect of the Chinese question unity of action amongst all the colonies of Australasia is most likely to satisfactorily effect our common purpose of restricting Chinese immigration. We think, also, that this unity can best be secured by a Conference of the representatives of the different Governments, when the matter might be fully discussed and a joint course agreed upon. We suggest, therefore, that such a Conference should be held with all possible despatch; and we shall be happy to make arrangements for the representation of this Government at such time and place as may be most convenient to all. We are addressing a similar communication to the other Australian Governments, and we are anxious to receive your early reply to our suggestion. T. Playfoed, Premier, Adelaide.

No. 11. The Hon. the Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Peemiee, Adelaide. The Hon the Premier, Adelaide. 11th May, 1888. Chinese.—W Te concur as to Conference, and, although now Parliament is sitting it is possible a Minister cannot be spared, we will appoint some competent person to represent us. Place of meeting not essential. H. A. Atkinson, Premier.

No. 12. Sir H. Pabkes to the Hon. the Peemieb, New Zealand. The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson, Wellington, New Zealand. 11th May, 1888. If Conference on Chinese difficulty is held we think it should be limited to colonies under responsible Government, as such alone can act for themselves; and that each Government should be represented by two members of Executive Council. We shall be very glad to act with other colonies, but are prepared to act alone. Eegret that owing to pressure of parliamentary business Ministers cannot leave Sydney at present time, Heney Paekes, Sydney.