A.—l.

Telegram from the Secretary of State to Sir W. C. E. Robinson, South Australia. 6th June. —Transmit following telegram to Governors of New Zealand and Australian Colonies : " Referring to my telegram of 22nd May, inform Conference " Her Majesty's Government anxious to meet views of Australasian Colonies with " regard to limiting Chinese immigration, but measures adopted by New South " Wales create obstacles to present negotiations with China. - It is therefore " important to ascertain whether, in substitution for legislation of a similar kind, " other arrangements more in accordance with feelings and views of Chinese " Government, and at the same time fully effective for purpose of restricting " Chinese immigration, may not be adopted. Having regard to political and " commercial interests of Empire, and particularly to commercial interests of " Australasian Colonies, no avoidable obstacles should be placed in the way of " trade with China, which is likely to afford valuable market for products of " Australasian Colonies. Chinese Government specially objects to legislation " placing Chinese emigrants on different footing to subjects of any other Power, " and it seems desirable to consider whether laws and regulations equally restrict- " ing immigration in colonies of all foreign labourers, with power of relaxing " regulations in special cases reserved to Governments, may not meet require- " nients of case. If thus placed on equal footing with other nations, Chinese " Government, if it was still thought necessary to come to an international '•' arrangement, might be, perhaps, willing to accept conditions more or less of a " similar kind to conditions laid down in treaty concluded with United States of " America, and limitation of numbers which would be permitted to embark for " any of Australasian Colonies in any year. It should be clearly understood " that, while Her Majesty's Gevernment will be prepared to consider any repre- " sentations from Conference, they are not at present able to give any assurance " that negotiations with Chinese Government can be opened, as it depends on " nature of proposals to be made to that Government; but I confidently believe " that Conference will endeavour to conciliate susceptibilities of Chinese Govern- " ment as far as practicable."

Telegram from the Secretary of State. Received 9th June, 1888. You may assent Chinese Bill.

Telegram received 18th June, 1888. Secretary of State to Lord Carrington, Sydney, for circulation in Australasian Colonies. Her Majesty's Government recognises spirit in which Chinese question has been discussed by Conference, and will be prepared to consider resolutions in all their bearing without delay. Desirable I should have as soon as possible all provisions of proposed Bill.

(New Zealand, No. 54.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 14th June, 1888. With reference to my Despatch No. 41, of the 16th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit herewith a printed paper, showing changes wrought in the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill by amendments of the Legislative Council. It will be observed that, although clauses strengthening the restrictions on the entry of Chinese (clauses 4-10) are retained, the following modifications have been inserted: 1. The rights of naturalised British subjects of Chinese race are secured to them (clause 2). (2.) Chinamen who left China or Hongkong for New Zealand previously to the 10th June are excluded from the operation of the Bill (clause 4, proviso). (3.) The officers and crews of Chinese men-of-war are likewise exempted. (4) The clauses (adapted from the Victorian Act No. 723 of 1881) by which Chinese subjects are debarred from voting at the election of any local authority have been struck out (clauses 10-12). (5.) The dura-

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