A.—No. 6,

No. 2. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. W. Gisborne to Messrs. J. A. Yoit l, H. Sewell, and H. Elaine. Colonial Secretary's Office, Gentlemen, — Wellington, 27th November, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 13th of August last, communicating the resolution passed at a meeting of influential Colonists in England, in reference to the present state of relations between the Mother Country and her Colonies, and inviting this Government to send one or more persons to a proposed Conference, to be held in February next, of Colonial Representatives in London, to consider that subject, and to concur in recommending measures in reference thereto for the consideration of the Imperial Government. The New Zealand Government have considered your letter with that care and attention which its importance demands, and they are of opinion that, for the reasons which I shall presently state, they would not be justified in authorizing persons to represent this Colony at the proposed Conference. It is obvious that the questions on which the Conference will have to deliberate, and in reference to which they are expected to recommend measures to the Imperial Government, not only concern the whole Empire, but most directly affect the existing Constitutional Government of each Colony, and its relation, to the Parent State. Under these circumstances there are two conditions, the preliminary fulfilment of which is essential to any prospect of useful deliberation on the part of the Conference, or of any practical result from their proceedings. One condition is, that the members of the Conference should be appointed under the express authority of the Legislature of the Colony which they are to represent; and the other condition is, that there should be on the part of the Colonies concerned, a general agreement that such a Conference should be held. The first condition in the ease of this Colony cannot be fulfilled, as your proposal did not reach this Government until shortly after the prorogation of the Assembly, and as the Conference is proposed to be held in February next. Nor is there any probability of the fulfilment of the second condition, as from recent accounts both Victoria and New South Wales are understood to be averse to such a Conference. Commissioners are about to proceed to England with a view to the settlement of certain questions between the Imperial Government and this Colony, and their mission is specially sanctioned by the Legislature ; but they have no authority to represent the Colony for the purpose contemplated in your letter, and the Executive have no power to confer on them any such authority. I have, &c, Messrs. J. A. Toul, H. Sewell, and II. Elaine, W. Gisboene. Palace Hotel, Westminster, London.

No. 3. Copy of a letter from Messrs. J. A. Yotjl, II. Sewell, and H. BnATNE, to the Hon. W. Gisbobne. Sib,— London, 23rd December, 1869. On the 13th August last, we addressed a circular letter to you with reference to the present relations between Great Britain and her Colonies. The object of such circular was to suggest the meeting of a Conference of Colonial Delegates in London, in February next, with the view of recommending to Her Majesty's Government, measures for improving the administration of Colonial affairs. Since then it has been ascertained that Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies has addressed letters to the various Colonial Governors, recommending them not to send delegates to such Conference. The Committee take for granted that the Colonial Governments will act in accordance with such recommendation, and that the proposed conference will not meet. Indeed, such a meeting would be fruitless, after an intimation on the part of Her Majesty's Government of a refusal to co-operate with it. On the 15th instant a deputation waited upon Lord Granvillc,for the purpose of ascertaining from His Lordship whether, having thus stopped the proposed Conference, he would himself originate some plan in another form for effecting the desired object. We refer you to the report which appeared in the principal London papers (and which is stated to have been authorized), of the proceedings of the deputation. We must state that the proceedings were imperfectly reported, and on one material point are calculated to convey an erroneous impression. The object of the deputation was clearly stated to His Lordship as being, not to discuss the general question of the Colonial policy of Her Majesty's Government, or the alleged grievances of particular Colonies, but to ascertain whether the Government would assist in bringing together a conference of Colonial Delegates, properly authorized by their respective Governments, to take counsel with the Imperial Government, in the present unsettled state of affairs. Consistently with this object, the deputation abstained, from touching upon questions calculated to open discussion upon those points which it was thought desirable to avoid. Lord Granville's reply embraced a wider range. His Lordship alleges two objections to the proposed Conference— First. That he does not think it would be agreeable to the Colonies. Secondly. That it would not accomplish the object proposed. His Lordship grounds his first objection on the fact, which he assumes, that the respective Colonial Governments have not responded to the invitation, and have not indicated an intention to send Delegates to the proposed Conference. So far as we are at present aware, there is no sufficient ground for His Lordship's assumption. From the replies hitherto received, the matter appears to bo under the consideration of the principal Colonial Governments who were addressed But it is obvious that Lord Granviile's communication must exercise an important influence on their determination.

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