A.—No. 6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO A PROPOSED CONFERENCE

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tion) more than its present value here, provided it were duty free in the United States, but the present duties there prevent me from operating. I may state, too, that judging from what I know of. the Americans, they would be glad to enter into a commercial arrangement with these Colonies. I believe that if a Commission were at once appointed by the several Colonies specially to proceed to England, to obtain the sanction of the Imperial Government, and then go to the United States to complete the arrangement, the ensuing clip of wool would, to a large extent, be shipped to New York and Boston, w rhere the market for it is almost coextensive with the local one in England. It is hardly probable that the Imperial Government would endeavour to thwart the objects of such a Commission ; but if they were firmly demanded —demanded to the extent of a threat of a severance between the Colonies and the Mother Country—l am of opinion they would then give way, and sanction such a measure. But if it were found impossible to obtain Imperial sanction to tho matter, I believe that such a Commission going to the United States Government, and if it were supported by some of the leading merchants of New York and Boston, would obtain the admission of Colonial wool free, or almost free, of duty, without any reduction of duties on American goods in the Colonies, and perhaps by that means avoid the legal formula of an international treaty. Some official and statistical information in reference to these Colonies would soon convince the Americans of the advisability of the matter. One great drawback to American trade with these Colonies at the present time is the absence of return cargoes for the vessels which bring American goods here. If some commercial arrangement were entered into between these Colonies and the United States, I am of opinion that the Americans would speedily establish a line of first-class steamers between them—starting from San Francisco—and, perhaps, without asking for any pecuniary assistance from the Colonies. If there is any further information you desire on this subject, I will be most happy to give it you if it lies in my power. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, AVellington. W. Darling.

No. 31. The Hon. J. T. Bagot to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sir,— Chief Secretary's Office, Adelaide, 23rd June, 1869. I have tho honor, by desire of His Excellency Sir James Ferguson, to forward herewith copies of letters addressed by this Government to that of New South AVales, on the subject of tho proposed conference of delegates. I have, <fee, John T. Bagot, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chief Secretary.

Enclosure 1 in No. 31. The Hon. J. T. Bagot to the Hon. J. Robertson. South Australia: Chief Secretary's Office, Sic,— Adelaide, 16th June, 1869. I have the honor, by desire of His Excellency Sir James Ferguson, to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, suggesting October as the date for holding the proposed conference, and in reply to inform you that the objection stated by the Government of New Zealand to an earlier date, namely Parliamentary duties, would also prevent this Government from being represented, should the conference be held in October. I have, &c, John T. Bagot, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. Chief Secretary.

Enclosure 2 in No. 31. The Hon. J. T. Bagot to the Hon. J. Robertson. South Australia: Chief Secretary's Office, Sic,— Adelaide, 22nd June, 1869. Referring to my letter of the 16th instant, I have now the honor, by desire of His Excellency Sir James Ferguson, to suggest that, as October, tho period mentioned in your letter of the 29th ultimo, appears to be convenient to the several Governments concerned, the difficulty as regards the attendance of delegates from this Province might be obviated by holding tho conference at Adelaide instead of at Sydney, as originally proposed. I have, &c, John T. Bagot, The Hon. Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. Chief Secretary.

No. 32. Mr. H. Halloran to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sib,— Sydney, New South Wales, 10th August, 1869. With reference to correspondence respecting the Intercolonial Conference proposed to bo held in this City in October next, I have the honor to inclose, for your information, copy of an