8.—6

XXXI

subjects brought before them. The first subject dealt with at the Hobart Conference was trade relations with the Mother-country; and it was resolved to favour closer commercial relations between the Mother-country and the Australasian Colonies on a basis of mutual advantage, and that full inquiry into the subject, whether by a commission of experts or otherwise, should be instituted. As it was impossible to form an accurate estimate of the extent of the trade between the colonies and foreign nations, it was deemed advisable to have further inquiry made, with the view of ascertaining the amount of such trade, and also what legislation, if any, is necessary. The next question dealt with was international reciprocity. Pending the result of the Federation movement, it was deemed advisable to postpone the consideration of this question. Australasian quarantine also came under review, and it was decided that a system of federal quarantine should be established, that stations should be maintained at Albany, Thursday Island, and Adelaide; and that if New Zealand and Tasmania concurred in the agreement drafted by Queensland, then stations should be established at Auckland and Hobart. In respect to the codification of commercial law of the United Kingdom and all colonies, it was decided to deal with each subject by a separate Bill, and thus enable the colonies to adopt the portions of the code as passed with such modifications as the circumstances of the different colonies may require. In respect to the treaty with Japan, it was decided, in accordance with the decision of the Sydney Conference of March, 1896, not to take advantage of its provisions. In respect to the conservation of British interests in the Pacific Islands, it was decided to earnestly urge the Imperial authorities to jealously guard and conserve British interests in the Pacific. In respect to restricted races, it was decided that the laws of the colonies should be assimilated, with a view to the recognition of the naturalisation certificates of each colony throughout Australasia. Regarding the export of Australasian produce, it was deemed desirable that uniform legislation should be adopted to prohibit the export of live-stock, meat, dairy produce, wine, and fruit not officially certified as of good quality and fit for export. The Premier of New South Wales dissented from this. In respect to the reservation of colonial Bills, it was decided that a Bill for securing to the local Parliaments increased powers of legislation, without reservation, be prepared by Victoria and South Australia, for consideration by the colonies and for recommendation to the Imperial Government. It was also resolved that the Premiers should urge upon their respective Parliaments that it was desirable to exhibit at the Paris Exhibition as one court, forming part of the court of the British Empire. It was also decided that judicial notice should be taken of laws of other colonies in legal proceedings. In respect to a lighthouse at the Snares, it was resolved that the erection of a lighthouse there should be made the subject of an agreement to be submitted by New Zealand to the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, for their consideration. In respect to uniformity of legislation on merchandise marks, it was resolved that the legislation of the various colonies should forthwith be assimilated, on the lines of the most recent Imperial legislation. In respect to summoning witnesses from other colonies, it was decided that the necessary alteration should be made in Act 44 and 45 Victoria, chapter 69, section 15, so as to provide for the punishment of witnesses disobeying a summons under such section, and that Victoria should take the necessary steps to obtain such alteration. It was further decided that a uniformity of practice should be adopted by the various colonies of Australasia in respect to the preparation of statistics of imports and exports. In respect to the federal company law of Australasia, it was decided that the assimilation of the company law of Australasia is desirable, and that New Zealand should prepare a Bill to give effect to this. In respect to the Conference of Premiers, it will be admitted at once that