A.—s

12

instances it was expressed in terms that commanded sympathy and respect. The interests of Great Britain and her colonies—commercial and otherwise —are affected by particular conditions or circumstances that individually vary ; this fact must, therefore, be recognised as a difficulty to be considered and allowed for in determining the mutual worth of a common enterprise. Numerous instances of the existence of such barriers in the way of an early advance towards a closer commercial interchange between the several colonies were presented to the Conference. The inexorable demands of revenue may render some of them at present insuperable ; but the contemplated federation of some parts of the Australian Continent holds out hope that new conditions may there arise that will make for greater concordance in tariff regulations. Under any circumstances, the Conference has afforded opportunity for ventilating many ideas and theories on colonial polity that have hitherto lain dormant; and it has also presented a fairly complete epitome of the several considerations that should weigh with those who may be charged with the further prosecution of its work. In conclusion, your representative feels that but little need be added to what has already been said in explanation of the attitude he took up in regard to one or two questions that came before the Conference. It was in the method of procedure only that he differed with his brother delegates. Going there in a business capacity rather than in a political one, he was naturally disposed to view matters in the light which previous training had afforded, and to shape his recommendations accordingly. It was not pleasant to feel alone, and to have to strike a discordant note that was so much out of harmony with the general opinion. Whether his work at the Conference was of a wise, beneficial and politic character must be left to the verdict of those whose interests were placed in his hands. Fully sensible of the honour which the position conferred and of the responsibility it imposed, he submits this report to his brother colonists, making one request only—which is, that they will take it for granted he endeavoured to the best of his ability to worthily represent the Colony of New Zealand. Finally, there remains a pleasant duty to perform—words, however, will not convey any adequate idea of the handsome treatment the delegation received in Canada. The high consideration shown by the Government for their happiness and comfort was displayed alike throughout the Dominion. Their Canadian visit will long have an affectionate remembrance in the minds of the delegates, and the colonies are under a debt of gratitude for the honour done to them through their representatives at the Ottawa Conference.

APPENDIX. [For particulars of tenders for laving and maintaining Pacific cable see Parliamentary Paper F.-sa, 1894, p. I.]

PAET IL—NOTES ON CANADA, TEADE PROSPECTS, ETC. Taking advantage of the opportunities which my mission to the Conference afforded for the purpose, the Government instructed me to make inquiries and investigations concerning the prospects of trade between Canada and this colony, and to report on this and other matters of interest. In view of the fact that the granting of support to a proposed steam-service between the two countries was contemplated, the desirability of obtaining such information is apparent, and consequently to carry out such object as far as circumstances would permit became one of my chief duties whilst in Canada. The time at my disposal was limited, so that what I have to say on the subject must necessarily be somewhat restricted and partial in respect both of extent and completeness of observation. Canada is a country of enormous area, with many widelyvarying natural conditions which, it may be readily understood, create a corresponding variety of industrial movements, and consequently to have made an exhaustive examination of the whole field would have occupied much time. Nevertheless, such personal observation as I could make, aided by the readily-granted information afforded on all sides by business men, enabled me to obtain a fairly correct estimate of the commercial situation so far as it is of interest to this colony. Perhaps a brief description of the physical features which attach to the respective provinces of Canada will best introduce the subject to the reader : — CLIMATE. The Canadian climate, or rather climates, vary very considerably. It is quite a mistake to suppose that the generally-expressed opinion that a universally rigorous winter reigns throughout the Dominion is correct. In reality there is as much difference between the western and the eastern provinces as there is between the United Kingdom and Norway. The far north seems to have furnished the standard from which Canada generally was to be estimated in respect of its climate. There is a range of some eighteen to twenty degrees of latitude from the lowest part of Ontario to the highest settlements in the north-west. But this does not explain all the difference that is found between the east and west, for in the same line of latitude great contrasts in many cases exist. British Columbia lies between the forty-ninth and the sixtieth and Ontario between the forty-second and forty-eighth parallels; but still they have little similarity in either temperature or snow- and rain-fall. In Ottawa the mean summer temperature is 66°, and in winter 15°; whilst at New Westminster in British Columbia it is 60° and 38° respectively. Eain- and snowfall in Ontario are 26in, and 70in.; in the interior of British Columbia 41in. and 20in. But it is in