A.—-3

4

XlV.—Diseases in Stock. The Conference having taken into consideration the great danger to which Australian live stock are exposed from the importation of animals from countries in which infectious diseases prevail, it was resolved that it is expedient to prohibit, for the period of two years, the landing of cattle, sheep, and pigs from any places beyond the limits of the Australasian Colonies, and that such prohibition should take effect from and after the publication of a notice in the London Times. XV.—The Fiji Islands. The question of Her Majesty's Government assuming the Protectorate of the Fiji Islands was dis cussed, and it was resolved that the state of affairs in the Fijian Islands urgently demanded, in the interest of the Australasian Colonies, and in that of the British Empire generally, the immediate attention of the Imperial authorities. XVl.—Colonial Statistics. With a view to facilitate comparison between the official statistics of the various Australasian Colonies, it was resolved by the Conference that it is expedient to have all such statistics framed, as far as possible, upon a uniform system, and that the Governments of Victoria and New South Wales be requested to prepare a plan and submit a draft thereof to the several Governments for consideration. Several other questions were discussed by the Conference, on which no definite action was taken. Henet Paekes, Colonial Secretary, ] N s ~ w , Saul Samuel, Vice-President of the Executive Council, j ew Sou n VVaies' Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster-General, 7 -v- 7 A William H. Eetnolds, Commissioner of Customs, > ew ea an - A. H. Palmee, Colonial Secretary, | n , , J. Malbon Thompson, Secretary of Public Lands, j Queensland. JHoh? TH AbSSo?tSSS7' } *»* Feedk. M. Innes, Colonial Treasurer, 7 m J. M. Wilson, President of Legislative Council, 5 lasmamaJ. G. Feancis, Chief Secretary, 1 V t i Edwaed Langton, Treasurer, j lc ona" Feed. P. Baelee, Colonial Secretary, Western Australia. The Treasury, Sydney, 14th February, 1873.

MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS OF INTEECOLONIAL CONFEEENCE, Held at Sydney, New South Wales, during the months of January and February, 1873. At the Treasury, Sydney, Wednesday, 22nd January, 1873. The under-mentioned gentlemen, Bepresentatives of the Colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia, were present, viz.:— Victoria : The Hon. J. G. Fbancis, Chief Secretary. The Hon. Edwabd Langton, Treasurer. New South Wales: The Hon. Henet Paekes, Colonial Secretary. The Hon. Saul Samuel, Vice-President of the Executive Council. South Australia: The Hon. Sir Henet Atees, K.C.M.G., Chief Secretary. The Hon. J. H. Baeeow, Treasurer. Queensland: The Hon. A. H. Palmee, Colonial Secretary. The Hon. J. M. Thompson, Secretary for Lands. New Zealand : The Hon. W. H. Betnolds, Commissioner of Customs. Tasmania : The Hon. F. M. Innes, Treasurer. The Hon. J. M. Wilson, President of the Legislative Council. Western Australia: The Hon. F. P. Baelee, Colonial Secretary. The Hon. Henry Parkes was unanimously elected to the Chair. Mr. A. C. Budge, Clerk of the Executive Council, was appointed Secretary. It was then resolved that the Conference should meet daily, at half-past 10 o'clock a.m., Saturday excepted. Mr. Langton proposed, " That the proceedings of the Conference shall not be made public, except with the sanction of the Conference." Seconded by Mr. Wilson, and agreed to unanimously. It was then resolved, that " The Secretary be required to prepare minutes of each day's proceedings, which shall be read over and confirmed at the next sitting, prior to any other business being entered,,upon." The Conference decided upon the following order of business : — (1.) The Mail Service between England and the Colonies. (2.) The question of Intercolonial Free Trade. The meeting then adjourned until the next day, at half-past 10 o'clock. Henet Paekes, Chairman.