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caused me considerable inconvenience, loss of time, and annoyance; and from the tenor of your letter of the 10th October, 1890, advising that you had communicated with the Governors of New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, and Fiji, I feel sure that it is not the wish of Her Majesty's Government that such delays and inconveniences should be thrown in the way of merchants like ourselves carrying on extensive operations in the South Pacific. I beg to enclose copy of letter I had occasion to address to His Excellency the Acting Governor of New Zealand on the 29th April last, and have much pleasure in informing you that the license required by the schooner " Ivanhoe " was received by me on the 3rd instant; and, as my steamer for Tahiti has been unexpectedly delayed, I am able to take it with me, and thus prevent any of the pains and penalties which might have been incurred had the schooner prosecuted her voyage without the said authority, responsibility for which I should have laid on the Acting Governor of New Zealand, and also by cablegram on your Lordship as head of the Colonial Office. I would, however, respectfully point out to your Lordship that the position taken up by Mr. Ballance, the Premier of New Zealand, is a perfectly untenable one, and would request that some definite instructions be forwarded to the respective Governors of colonies likely to be required to issue these licenses as to whether they are bound to accept the advice of their Responsible Ministers in anything beyond being satisfied that the requirements of the Act have been complied with in regard to the suitability of the vessels and the security offered by the bonds. If it is really understood that the principles involved in the Act should be the subject of recommendation or non-recommendation by the Eesponsible Advisers of the Governor, not only would merchants and employers of labour like ourselves be subject to the varying opinions held by the Executive Governments of New Zealand and the other colonies on the labour traffic, but, in addition, we should also be exposed to the possible change of views by the same Ministers on this very important question. I would respectfully submit to your Lordship, by way of illustration, that in the case of the Colony of Queensland, had I, some two or three months since, been obliged to apply to the Governor of that colony for a labour license, the Premier of the colony, Sir Samuel Griffiths, who was then known to be bitterly opposed to the labour traffic, might have assumed the same position now taken up by Mr. Ballance, and advised the Governor not to grant the same. Whereas, had I applied two months later, the views of Sir Samuel Griffiths having been altered in the meantime, the Governor might have obtained from the Executive a recommendation to issue the said license. Such a want of uniformity in practice I can hardly think your Lordship would consider wise or expedient in the carrying-out of what I have always understood to be purely an Imperial Act of Parliament. I think the trouble in regard to New Zealand has largely arisen from a memorandum by Sir William Jervois, the Earl of Onslow's predecessor in this colony, in which, I believe, he lays down the rule that the advice of the Executive Government should be tendered to His Excellency as to the issue or non-issue of these labour licenses; and I cannot but think that Sir William Jervois misinterpreted the views of the Imperial Government on this question. As this matter is one involving very large interests, and possibly the loss of very much time and capital, I should esteem it a great favour if your Lordship will give your kind consideration to the subject, and transmit your views to the Governors of the colonies, in order that there may be no further inconvenience and loss occasioned to Her Majesty's subjects carrying on business in the Pacific. Letters addressed to my representatives in London, Messrs. Houlder Brothers and Co., will always be transmitted, and would probably reach me before I start for England, where I hope to arrive during the months of September or October. Should your Lordship then wish it, I shall be happy to personally supply any information in my power as to the working of " The Pacific Islanders' Protection Act, 1872," in regard to the issue of labour licenses. I have, &c, To the Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, John T. Arundel. Secretary of State for the Colonies, Downing Street, London. Mr. J. T. Arundel to Sir J. B. Thurston. Your Excellency,— Auckland, New Zealand, 9th May, 1892. I beg to enclose copies of letters I have addressed to Sir James Prendergast, the Acting Governor of New Zealand, dated 29th April, and to Lord Knutsford, dated this day, by which you will see that further difficulties have arisen with regard to the issue of labour licenses. Your Excellency will see that the position assumed by the Premier of New Zealand is one calculated to cause a very great amount of inconvenience and annoyance, and I trust that some very definite instructions will be laid down by Her Majesty's Government for the guidance of the Governors of the various colonies. I am leaving to-morrow by the " Richmond," and expect to return here within two months. I have, &c, To His Excellency Sir John Thurston, K.C.M.G., John T. Arundel. High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Suva, Fiji. Mr. J. Bramston to Mr. J. T. Arundel. Sir,— _ Downing Street, 17th August, 1892. I am directed by Lord Knutsford to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th May last, relating to the giant under " The Pacific Islanders' Protection Act, 1872," of a license for your schooner " Ivanhoe." In reply I am desired by Lord Knutsford to point out that under section 5 of the above Act the Governor is given an absolute discretion as to issuing a license, and he might, if he should think fit