9

A.—7.

No. 11. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Sib Geobge Gbey presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby; and, adverting to His Excellency's Memorandum of the 20th instant, trusts that the Governor has now had sufficient time to give his consideration to the Ministerial Memorandum of the 19th instant, pressing upon His Excellency's attention their reasons for respectfully thinking that they could not find in his Memorandum of the 15th instant, reasons which appeared to them to justify the refusal of a Dissolution, under circumstances which existed here. 2. The delay in the settlement of this question adds greatly to the difficulties and embarrassments which Ministers have to meet, and is in many respects very injurious to them. 3. Sir George Grey, therefore, ventures to hope that His Excellency will as soon as possible transmit to Ministers his promised reply. Wellington, November 26th, 1877. G. Gbey.

No. 12. Memoeandum for the Hon. Sir Geoege Geey, K.C.B. The Goveenoe presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and, in reply to his Memorandum of the 26th instant, in which he again presses the subject of a Dissolution upon him, The Governor regrets very much that Ministers should feel that " the delay in the settlement of "this question adds greatly to the difficulties and embarrassments which Ministers have to meet, " and is in many respects injurious to them." The Governor, however, taking as he does a very different view of his duties and responsibilities in regard to the exercise of the power of Dissolution, from that which is taken by Sir George Grey, sees no reason for altering the opinion he has expressed; and in conformity with that opinion, he does not consider that the circumstances have yet occurred which would justify him in granting a Dissolution. The Governor by no means wishes to intimate that events may not take place which might necessitate a Dissolution ; but he is of opinion that when those circumstances occur they should be clearly placed before him, in order that he may be able to form a deliberate judgment upon them. The Governor has every reason for believing that the present session is fast drawing to a close. Were he now to grant a Dissolution, it would assume the character of an appeal from the present House of Eepresentatives to the constituencies ; and, according to all constitutional usage, the appeal should be made with the least possible delay, and the House should meet again almost immediately. If, on the other hand, Sir George Grey only desires the promise of a Dissolution at some future period, the Governor cannot help feeling that the knowledge that such a promise had been given would be putting a presure upon Parliament which might very possibly influence its proceedings ; and he can be no party to any course which could have such a result, as he considers that it would be irregular and unconstitutional. Government House, Wellington, 28th November, 1877. Noemanby.

No. 13. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Mtnistees present their respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby, and feel it their duty to offer the following observations on his Memorandum of November 28th:— 2. Ministers cannot think that if they had the same rights here regarding a Dissolution of Parliament as are enjoyed by the Queen's Ministers in England, any unconstitutional pressure would be put upon Parliament. 3. Ministers believe that without the existence of those rights in England, the Eeform Bill and many other great measures could never have been carried, and the rights at present enjoyed by the people of Great Britain could not have been obtained. 4. Ministers have only asked, for themselves and the people of New Zealand, those rights which belong to the Ministers and people of England. Wellington, December 6th, 1877. G. Geet.

No. 14. Memoeandum for the Hon. Sir Geobge Geey, K.C.B. TnE Goveenoe presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of his Memorandum of the 6th instant. Ihe Governor would point out that what he considered would be placing an unconstitutional pressure upon Parliament was, that he should promise a Dissolution at some future period when it might suit the Ministers to dissolve, the knowledge of which promise might influence the action of Parliament. The Governor would further observe, that the allusion made by Sir George Grey to the Dissolution which took place in relation to the Eeform Bill is entirely inapplicable, because in that case there was a great measure before the country, in which deep interest was taken, and which had been defeated in Parliament; and it was a direct appeal from Parliament to the people. The Governor is aware of no great measure which is before Parliament, and which would justify such an appeal. 2—A. 7.