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ment, and the other half for sale without conditions as to settlement. The Committee wish to point out that similar concessions have already been granted in the case of railway companies. Finally, the Committee believe that the scheme appended hereto, which leaves minor difficulties and points of detail to be dealt with by the proposed controlling authority or Colonisation Board, is well worthy of the consideration of colonial Governments, to whom they now,"desire to submit it far the purpose of ascertaining their views. The Committee are aware that circumstances vary in different colonies. Plow far these circumstances may influence the general principles of the scheme is a matter for each, colony to determine; and on this point it is hoped that particular information will be given. The chief aim of the Committee is to ascertain in what manner cooperation can best be secured, being fully convinced that the promotion and development of coloni-, sation will be mutually advantageous both to the Mother-country and the colonies, and most beneficial to the prosperity and strength of the whole Empire. The Scheme. 1. Controlling Authority: Colonisation Board (with Imperial and colonial representation). 2. Capital to be raised by public subscription to a " Colonisation Land Rent-charge Stock." Interest, at 3 per cent, per annum, to be guaranteed by the Imperial Government for a term of thirty years. 3. Class of Colonists : Preference to be given to colonists who contribute towards outlay. 4. Colonist after second year to pay 4 per cent, on amount advanced, secured by a rent-charge, with or without an extra 1 per cent, for contingencies. 5. Rent-charge to be redeemed by colonist within thirty years. 6. Government to give land free or on most favourable terms for settlement, with power to create a rent-charge where necessary. W. H. Houldsworth, Chairman. Sandhurst, ) Secretaries for the Monkswell, j House of Lords. H. Seaton-Karr, ) Secretaries for the H. L. W. LawsonJ"House of Commons.

(New Zealand, No. 110.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th October, 1888. I have the honour to acknowledge your circular despatch of the 31st May last, with a letter addressed to your Lordship by a Colonisation Committee of both Houses of Parliament, enclosing a memorandum and scheme of Statedirected colonisation, and in reply to transmit a copy of a memorandum which I have received from the Premier on the subject. It will be observed that my Government is unable under the existing law to entertain the proposal that the right of pre-emption of land should be given to the Colonisation Board, and suggests the existing systems of homestead settlements, perpetual leases, and special settlements as possibly likely to meet the views of the Committee. I have, &c, W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &e.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honour to return the circular despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies dated the 31st May last, enclosing a scheme of State-directed colonisation. Without offering an opinion as to the feasibility or otherwise of the scheme propounded, the Premier begs to point out that under the existing law the New Zealand Government is unable to entertain the suggestion of the Colonisation Committee that the right of pre-emption should be given to the proposed Board. But our law does provide that land may be set aside on the homestead system, whereby the freehold is acquired by occupation and improvement without any moneypayment, and under the so-called perpetual-lease system, which is really the pre-emption of the freehold, the only necessary payment being an annual rent of 5 per cent, on the capital value, with a right of obtaining the fee-simple. Or blocks may be set apart for special settlements, of such area as may be necessary; but such blocks can be dealt with on settlement conditions only, and must be taken at a price fixed by valuation. Possibly one or other of these liberal tenures might meet the views of the Colonisation Committee. H. A. Atkinson, Premier. Premier's Office, Wellington, 25th October, 1888.

NATIVE BILLS. (New Zealand, No. 89.-) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 7th September, 1888. I have the honour to report that ou the 27 th ultimo a deputation of Maori chiefs waited on me to urge that I should beg Her Majesty not to assent to

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