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Government to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as well as to Lord Charles Scott, for the response made to the proposals contained in Sir James Lorimer's memorandum of the 25th July, 1889. 4. While making this acknowledgment, however, it becomes necessary to point out, •with reference to the privilege granted, that the limitations by which it is accompanied deprive it of much of the advantage to the colonial officers which it was particularly sought to obtain for them. 5. An extract is enclosed herewith from a memorandum on the subject by the Hon. the Minister of Defence (dated 21st March, 1890, No. 624), in which he explains the matter fully, and Mr. Gillies will be much obliged if your Excellency will be so good as to request a reconsideration of the subject from this point of view. D. Gillies, Premier.

Sub-enclosure 2. The Premier, Victoria, to the Premier, New Zealand. Sir, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, 3rd October, 1890. With reference to my circular of the Ist April relative to the admission of colonial naval officers for training on board Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station, I have now the honour to forward herewith, for your information, a copy of a despatch received by His Excellency the Governor, dated the 30th June, 1890, from which you will see that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have made arrangements whereby the privileges desired for the officers in question are fully conceded. It does not appear quite clear from the despatch whether the matter has been regarded as an application on behalf of Victoria only, or whether the other Australasian Colonies are embraced in the concession ; but on this point you will doubtless be able to obtain information from the Imperial Government, if you have not already done so. Arrangements are now being made for two of the officers of the Victorian naval forces to avail themselves of the facilities afforded by the Imperial authorities. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. D. Gillies, Premier.

My Lord, —■ Downing Street, 30th June, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 42, of the 27th of March, with its enclosures, respecting certain proposals made by the Minister of Defence for enabling officers of the colonial forces to obtain training and experience on board Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station. Your Government will perceive from the accompanying copy of a correspondence between this department and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty what steps their Lordships have so far been enabled to take in this direction. I have, &c, Governor the Bight. Hon. the Earl of Hopetoun, G.C.M.G., &c. Knutsford.

The Colonial Office to the Admiralty. Sir,— Downing Street, 12th May, 1890. I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Victoria (No. 42, 27th March), with its enclosures, respecting certain proposals made by the Minister of Defence for enabling officers of the local forces to obtain training and experience on board Her Majesty's ships on the Australian Station. I am to suggest, for the consideration of their Lordships, that it would be sufficient, and preferable to the present system, to leave it to the discretion of the commanding officer whether any particular duty should or should not be assigned to the colonial officer on board, and that, if the written or unwritten rules of the service prevent a colonial naval officer from discharging any responsible duties whatever, it should be considered whether the stringency of such a prohibition could not be relaxed in such a manner as to make it possible for such colonial officers to acquire training and experience in the actual duties of a man-of-war. I am, &c., The Secretary of the Admiralty. Edward Wingfield.

The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. Sir,— Admiralty, 24th June, 1890. I have had laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 12th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Victoria relative to the employment of officers of the colonial naval forces in Her Majesty's ships for instructional purposes, and to their status while so employed. 2. In reply, I am directed by their Lordships to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they attach great importance to the attainment of the object so clearly defined by the Government of Victoria, and that the subject is under consideration with a view to obtaining the desired result. 3. A communication has, with this object, been sent to the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station to the effect that the proper status will be given to these officers by conferring upon them acting commissions and appointments, and dealing with the question of the duties to be intrusted to them. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgregoe.

Sub-enclosure 3. The Premier, New Zealand, to the Premier, Victoria. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 20th October, 1890. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 90/3926, of the 3rd instant,