A.—4

VI

bearing of the question; arid generally to all matters which in your opinion may be of assistance in enabling Parliament to arrive at a proper conclusion in respect of the subjects of this inquiry. And if you are of opinion that for the present the federation of our said colony with the Commonwealth of Australia is premature or inadvisable, you are to inquire and report as to the establishment of a reciprocal treaty or agreement between the said Commonwealth and our said colony ; and if in your opinion the latter course is the more desirable, you will inquire and indicate in your report the lines upon which such reciprocal treaty or agreement should be based. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, we do authorise and empower you to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places within the Commonwealth of Australia or of our said colony as you may deem expedient, and to call before you such persons as you may judge necessary, by whom you may be better informed of the matters herein submitted for your consideration, and also to call for and examine all such records, books, documents, and papers as you consider likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject of this our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means. And our further will and pleasure is that you, or any five or more of you, do report to us under your hands and seals, with as little delay as is consistent with a due discharge of the duties hereby imposed on you, your opinion on the several matters herein submitted for your consideration, with power to certify to us from time to time your several proceedings in respect of any of the matters aforesaid if it seems expedient for you so to do. And we further do declare that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue until the thirty-first day of May, one thousand nine hundred and one, and that you, our said Commissioners, or any five or more of yon, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the Seal of the said Colony to be hereunto affixed. Witness our Eight Trusty and Well-beloved Cousin Uohter John Mark, Earl of Eanfurly, Knight Commander of our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, , s Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over our Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies ; and issued under the Seal of our said Colony, at Wellington, this twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred, and in the sixty-fourth year of our reign. RANFURLY, Governor. Approved in Council— J. F. Andrews, Acting-Clerk of the Executive Council.