5

A.—2,

(5.) Knowingly aids in the engagement of any person so induced, by forwarding or conveying him, or by advancing money, or in any other way whatever; shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to fine to such amount as the Court thinks fit, or to both. 7. Any offence against this Act may be inquired into and tried, as well in any district in which the person accused may be found, as in any district in which it might bo inquired into and tried under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart. (No. 45.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th September, 1874. I duly received your Despatch No. 27, of the 13th of April, enclosing a memorandum approved by your Government on the subject of the establishment of a Government in the Eiji Islands in the event of their annexation to the British Crown. 2: I have received the communication with very great satisfaction. I understand it to mean on the part of your Ministers a readiness to accept a share of the burden and responsibility which, if the Islands become annexed to the Crown, will be incurred. Though colonial even more than imperial interests are concerned in this question, I recognize in this readiness to co-operate with Her Majesty's Government an evidence of the national feeling by which your Ministers, and the entire colony of New Zealand, are influenced, and their desire to associate themselves with the policy of this country. At the same time, whilst cordially acknowledging this feeling, for the reasons which I have given in a despatch addressed to the Governor of New South Wales on the 7th of last month, and of which I enclose you now a copy, I am of opinion that no one colony of the Australasian Group can properly undertake a part in the direct government of those Islands, and that the co-operation which I understand them to offer, and which I rejoice to receive, can be best afforded in the manner which I have indicated in that despatch. 3. Eor these reasons you are at liberty to submit, for the consideration of your Ministers, the suggestions which I have made to the Governor of New South Wales in my despatch of the 7th August, in regard to a money contribution towards the general expenses of administration. 4. I should before now have replied to your despatch of the 13th April, but that I considered it best to defer my answer until the course to be taken by Her Majesty's Government, and the consequent instructions to be given to Sir H. Bobinson in regard to the mission to Eiji, with which he is charged, should have been finally determined upon. I have, &c, CAENAEVON. Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart.

Enclosure in No. 9. Copy of a Despatch from the Bight Hon. the Earl of Caenaevon to Governor Sir Heecules Robinson, K.C.M.G., New South Wales. Sic, — Downing Street, 7th August, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram, dated 21st July, relative to an anticipated deficit ia the revenue of Fiji in the event of its annexation, in which you state that your Ministers fully appreciate the obligation of New South Wales to assist in the establishment of a Government in the Islands, and indicate various modes in which such assistance might be given ; adding that, if preferred, your Ministers would ask the Colonial Legislature to contribute, in money, a portion of the probable deficiency. 2. You inform me that a minute expressing more fully the views of your Cabinet will be sent by the next mail. But looking to the importance of the question, and the necessity of allowing no unnecessary delay in dealing with it, I will at once explain to you the form in which Her Majesty's Government are at present disposed to think that the colonies could best co-operate in this matter. 3. And, in the first place, I desire to express my hearty appreciation of the readiness evinced by your Ministers to undertake on the part of New South Wales a portion of the cost, and to assist in