21

A.—2.

3. The principle upon which silver coin, the produce of either Mint, circulating in other Colonies, is to be withdrawn ? The Secretary of State will perceive at once, that if one branch Mint be permitted to coin silver, a like privilege will inevitably be sought by and must be conceded to other branch Mints, and it will therefore be necessary to decide,- — 4. The principle upon which silver coin, the produce of other branch Mints, is to circulate and be withdrawn (say coin of the Sydney Mint current in Victoria). 5. The conditions under which silver token coins are tender in the Colony; if these do not correspond with the conditions enforced in the United Kingdom, the law must be amended. In other words, it must be definitely laid down, that silver is only legal tender to the amount of forty shillings. It is obvious that any proposal for allowing a Colony to coin tokens cannot be entertained, until agreement on these points has been arrived at by all the Colonies interested. In submitting these considerations to the Secretary of State, my Lords must call his special attention to a difficulty which will arise in adjusting the incidence of the cost of withdrawal. "When a coin has been a long time in circulation, the distinctive " Mint Mark" stamped upon it becomes obliterated, and no means would exist of identifying the issues of the several Mints. This difficulty might be, to a great extent, removed by the adoption of a different design for each Mint; but it will be remembered that that arrangement was not favourably received in the case of the gold coinage. My Lords have now stated the difficulties which occur to them in devising a scheme, permitting several communities to issue on their own account the same token coinage. But in stating these difficulties, they wish it to be understood that they have only one object in view, namely, to meet the requirements of British communities, in the most simple, practical, and economical method for all concerned. They are, above all, anxious to prevent the possibility of questions arising hereafter, which may lead to disagreement between the Imperial Government and the Colonies, or between the Colonies themselves. They would wish it to be carefully considered by those interested in this question, whether, when different communities use the same token coinage, it is not better for all parties concerned that one of them should act as agent for the rest. It is clear, that if the coin is to have general circulation, the Imperial Government is alone qualified to undertake that duty of agent, and to be responsible for the issue and withdrawal of the coin ; but it would be quite feasible, my Lords believe, to make arrangements for the coinage of silver tokens on account of the Imperial Government at the branch Mints; and my Lords would desire to be informed whether, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the object sought by the Colonial Government might not thus be practically attained, in a manner agreeable to the sense and wishes of that Government. My Lords need not remark, that in making these suggestions they put aside all question of the profit which at present accrues to them. The amount of silver issued to the Colonies has hitherto been comparatively small, and the profit has not been, therefore, of large amount; but whatever the amount, my Lords would not allow it to stand in the way of an arrangement beneficial to the Empire. These remarks will apply to the representation made by the Government of New Zealand, inasmuch as they apply to all token coinage ; and with regard to paragraph 1 of the Agent-General's letter to the Colonial Office of 4th June, the Secretary of State will be glad to learn that the Mint in this country is ready to supply any amount of bronze coinage which may be necessary for circulation in the Colony, and for which Dr. Featherston may be authorized to apply. I am, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. R. R. "W. Linger.

No. 27. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd December, 1873. I transmit to you revised Regulations on the subject of Colonial Uniforms, and I have to request that you will insert them in the Book of Colonial Regulations, in lieu of the existing Rules numbered from 160 to 164. I have, &c, The Officer Administering the Government KIMBERLEY. of New Zealand.

No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 2.) Sir, — Downing Street, sth January, 1874. I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Admi-