A.—s

3

(20.) Visit of Premiers to England for Celebration of Her Majesty's Sixty Tears' Beign. The Premiers assembled at Hobart are deeply sensible of the high honour conferred upon the Australasian Colonies by the invitation to the Premiers to visit England to join in the commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Queen's accession, and also of the unique and gratifying character of the demonstration in which they are invited to participate. In no part of the Empire will this commemoration be regarded with a higher feeling of loyalty to and affection for Her Most Gracious Majesty than in Australasia. But the Premiers cannot collectively accept this invitation, and therefore must leave the answer to the Secretary of State's message to be made by each of them separately on return to their several homes and after consideration of the exigencies of public business.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, it was moved by Mr. Seddon, That a vote of thanks be accorded to the President. This was carried unanimously ; and Sir Edward Braddon,in the course of his reply, expressed the hope that the next meeting of Premiers would be held in New Zealand. Mr. Reid moved a vote of thanks to the secretary. Carried unanimously. The proceedings of the Conference closed at 9 p.m. on the 4th February, having sat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 2.15 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6.30 p.m., and 9 p.m., on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instant, respectively, and the Conference adjourned sine die. George Steward, Secretary. B. Braddon, President.

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