CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO "THE CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION BILL, 1883," WHICH WAS RESERVED FOR THE SIGNIFICATION OF HER MAJESTY'S PLEASURE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, A-04b

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1885. NEW ZEALAND.

CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO "THE CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION BILL, 1883," WHICH WAS RESERVED FOR THE SIGNIFICATION OF HER MAJESTY'S PLEASURE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. . . . . Confederation Bill, No. 50, 1883. Endeavour impress Colonial Office importance promptly assenting. Eobeet Stout. 14th October, 1884.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 15th October, 1884. I received yesterday your telegram directing me to impress upon Lord Derby the importance attached by your Government to a prompt assent being given to the Confederation and Annexation Bill of 1883, which was reserved by His Excellency the Governor for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. I went over to the Colonial Office on the subject, and was desired to put your request in writing, which I have accordingly done, in the letter of which a copy is annexed. My impression has been all along that Lord Derby would not come to any decision upon the Bill until New Zealand had resolved what to do in regard to the resolutions of the Sydney Convention, and to the Imperial Enabling Act which the Convention recommended. As that impression still remains, I am sending you a telegram to that effect, copy of which is annexed. It must be needless for me to point out. that Victoria is sure to oppose the assent of the Crown being given to the New Zealand Bill of 1883, and you will not therefore expect that Mr. Murray-Smith and myself can act together in relation to it. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1. The Agent-Geneeal to the Colonial Office. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, 15th October, 1885. I have received instructions by telegram from the New Zealand Government to bring under the consideration of the Earl of Derby the question of the Bill passed by the General Assembly of that colony last year, intituled " The Confederation and Annexation Bill, 1883," which was reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. My Government desire me to impress upon Lord Derby the importance they attach to that measure, and to add their earnest request that it may receive the Queen's assent at an early period. I beg therefore to be permitted to inquire whether any decision has yet been come to on the subject, in order that I may be able to telegraph the same to my Government. The Legislature is now in session, and it is essential for them to know as soon as possible whether the Bill will be allowed to become law. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. F. D. Bell. I—A. 4b.

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Enclosure 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Numbee fifty. From what passed yesterday, think Colonial Office will continue suspend assent until you decide respecting Convention Bill. 15th October, 1884. F. D. Bell.

No. 3. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemieb. "Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 20th November, 1884. I transmit to you herewith copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office, stating that Lord Derby had decided to give no advice to Her Majesty, for the present, respecting the Confederation and Annexation Bill passed last year, but that his Lordship would probably soon make a further communication on the subject. I sent you, immediately on receiving that letter, a telegram informing you of its tenor; copy ■of the same is annexed. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1. The Colonial Office to the Agent-Geneeal. Sie, — Downing Street, 15th November, 1884. In reply to your letter of the 15th ultimo, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to inform you that Her Majesty's Government have not failed to give their careful attention to the Bill passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand, intituled " The Confederation and Annexation Bill, 1883," which was reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure. They, however, think it preferable not to advise Her Majesty with regard to it at the present moment, as various questions connected with the islands of the Western Pacific are under consideration. Lord Derby will probably be able, at no distant date, to make a further communication to you on the subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. Eobeet G. W. Heebeet.

Enclosure 2. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Bill fifty. Colonial Office prefers not advising Queen at present, because various questions connected Pacific Islands under consideration, but promises further statement soon. 17th November, 1884. F. D. Bell.

By Authority : Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, "Wellington.—lBBs.

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