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present rate of 2d. per pound is the same in all the other Australasian Colonies, except in Tasmania and Western Australia, where the duty is 3d. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &o. ONSLOW.

No. 12. (No. 44.) My Lokd,— Wellington, New Zealand, Bth August, 1890. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter lately received be the Premier, Sir H. Atkinson, from Mr. Macdonald, the Clerk of Synod in New Hebrides, with its enclosure, which the Premier has requested me to forward to your Lordship, in the hope that Her Majesty's Government will take such steps in relation thereto as your Lordship may think fit. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. Treasurer's Office, 7th August, 1890. The Premier has the honour to forward for His Excellency's perusal the accompanying letter from the Clerk of Synod, New Hebrides, enclosing an extract from the minutes of that body dated the 25th June last, urging that facilities should be given to British subjects to settle in the group and to obtain legal titles to land; that the sale of arms should be thrown open or entirely prohibited; and that the labour-traffic should be prohibited. Perhaps His Excellency may consider it expedient to draw the attention of the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific to these subjects. E. Mitchelson, (For the Premier.)

Key. Sir, — 7th August. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th July, and the extract from the minutes of the New Hebrides Mission Synod dated 25th June, urging that British subjects should be encouraged to settle in the group and acquire legal titles to land; that the sale of arms, &c, should be thrown open or entirely prohibited, and that the labour-traffic should be prohibited. I have forwarded your letter to His Excellency the Governor, who will bring the matter under the notice of Her Majesty's Government and the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific. Rev. Dr. Macdonald, I have, &c, Havannah Harbour, New Hebrides. E. Mitchelson, (For the Premier.)

Sub-Enclosure. Sir, — Havannah Harbour, New Hebrides, 10th July, 1890. I have the honour to transmit to you the enclosed minute of the New Hebrides Mission Synod. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson, K.C.M.G., D. Macdonald, Premier of New Zealand, Welllington. Clerk of Synod.

59. The Synod being of opinion that the time has now arrived when it would be conducive to the civilisation of the natives of the New Hebrides, especially of those who have embraced Christianity, that British subjects should be encouraged to settle in this group as traders and planters, and that the present laws affecting this group are so inadequate and unequal as to deter the most desirable class of colonists from settling in this group, strongly urges that the Imperial Government be moved to provide that British subjects in the New Hebrides may be enabled to obtain legal titles to their lands, and also enabled lawfully to engage the natives of our island of this group to labour on another. The Synod is further of opinion that the prohibition of the sale of firearms and ammunition to natives of this group at present laid exclusively on British subjects should either be rescinded or applied universally to the subjects of all nationalities. Further, with reference to the foreign labour-traffic from this group, and in view of the fact that the Queensland branch of that traffic is about to cease, while the French and German branches of the same are still being vigorously prosecuted, this Synod is strongly of opinion that in justice to Queensland and to the New Hebrides the foreign labour-traffic from this group should be universally prohibited, the more especially as the settlers in this group will have need of at least all the available labour which it can afford. Extract minute of New Hebrides Mission Synod, 25th June, 1890. D. Macdonald, Clerk of Synod.