A.—2.

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

FEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (FURTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.) [In continuation of A.-3, 1888.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Agext-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 24th March, 1888. I beg to enclose herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, covering a printed circular despatch from the Secretary of State to the Governors of Australasian Colonies on the question of the continued transportation of French convicts to New Caledonia. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. Sir, — Downing Street, 17th March, 1888. With reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a circular despatch which he has addressed to the Governors of all Australasian Colonies respecting the transportation of French convicts to New Caledonia. I am, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Robert Geo. Herbert.

Sub-Enclosure. Sir,— Downing Street, 3rd March, 1888. I have the honour to transmit to you paraphrases of two telegrams from the Governor of Victoria, and of a confidential despatch to Sir H. Loch, recording the telegraphic reply in connection with the question of the transportation of French convicts to New Caledonia. I also transmit a copy of a despatch which the Marquis of Salisbury has addressed to Lord Lytton on the subject. I have, &c, The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Knutsfobd.

Paraphrase of a Telegram from Sir Henry Loch to Sir Henry Holland. Eeceived 9th December, 1887. Embarkation of three hundred convicts for New Caledonia: Trusts that Her Majesty's Government will make urgent remonstrance against.

Paraphrase of a Telegram from Sir Henry Loch to Sir Henry Holland. Beceived 16th December, 1887. Fsench convicts in the South Seas: Urges reply to his telegram of 9th December respecting.

Sir H. Holland to Sir H. Loch. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th December, 1887. I have the honour to acquaint you that I have this day telegraphed to you, in reply to your telegrams of the 9th and 16th instant, that the settlement arrived at with the French Government with regard to the New Hebrides does not furnish grounds upon which a protest can be made against the further importation of French convicts into the possessions of France in the South. Pacific, as the Australian Colonies had objected to the proposal of Her Majesty's Government to yield the New Hebrides to France in return for the discontinuance of the importation of convicts. I stated, however, that Her Majesty's Government would strongly represent to the French •Government that tho transportation system involves great evils to Australia, and that it must lead I—A. 2.