51

A.—l

The Colonial Secretary, Queensland, to the Premier, New Zealand. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 20th February, 1880. The matter referred to in your message has already received the attention of this Government. On two or three occasions escaped Communists have reached our coasts, but not, so far as we are aware, with the connivance of the French authorities. Government will readily join in remonstrance to the Imperial Government. Will forward you by next mail copy of Bill submitted to our Parliament last session, framed to meet such cases, which we propose re-introducing next year in modified form. - C. Hardie Buzacott, The Chief Secretary, New Zealand. (for Colonial Secretary).

The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales, to the Premier, New Zealand. (Telegram.) Sydney, 20th February, 1880. Batches of pardoned convicts from New Caledonia have on several occasions arrived here. Last session we introduced Bill to prevent their influx, but did not proceed with it, for reasons which I will explain in letter. This Government will communicate with Imperial Government as you suggest, if your Government will separately take a similar course. The Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Colonial Secretary.

The Premier, Wellington, to the Agent-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st February, 1880. Eleven pardoned Communists, and nine convicts, described as " conditionally freed," arrived Auckland from New Caledonia. Passages paid by Government of New Caledonia. Reported that further similar deportations pending. Governor absent from Wellington; directly returns will be advised urge Imperial Government to remonstrate with France. Meanwhile, you take every possible step prevent repetition such proceeding. Very strong feeling throughout Zealand, retaliatory measures being urged as protection. New South Wales and Queensland join remonstrance. See Agents-General. Vogel, London. Hall.

The Premier, Wellington, to the Agent-General, London. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th February, 1880. Telegram respecting New Caledonia withdrawn. Suspend action. Explanation by letter next mail. Inform Agents-General. Vogel, London. John Hall.

The Premier, New Zealand, to Sir Henry Parkes, New South Wales. (Telegram.) Wellington, 24th February, 1880. New Caledonian prisoners. Strict inquiry shows that, although the schooner was chartered by New Caledonian Government, the convicts who came paid their own passages to Auckland, and that they were not, as first stated, paid by Government. The convicts were at liberty to go to France or elsewhere. The Communists had passages provided by Government, and are forbidden to land in French territory. Am instructing Agent-General to suspend action, and to inform your representative. On receipt of your promised letter, will communicate further. The Chief Secretary, Sydney. John Hall, [A like message, on same date, to Queensland and Victoria.]

The Agent-General, London, to the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram, received 25th February, 1880.) London, 24th February, 1880. Secretary of State for Colonies has requested Foreign Office speedily as possible move French Government discontinue shipment convicts New Zealand. Gravity of matter specially urged. The Premier, New Zealand. Vogel.

The Agent-General, London, to the Premier, Wellington. (Telegram, received 25th February, 1880.) London, 24th February, 1880. Have sent last copy telegram re New Caledonia to Colonial Office. The Premier, New Zealand. Vogel.

The Mayor of Auckland to the Colonial Secretary. Auckland, 25th February, 1880. This Council desires most emphatically to express the strong feeling of indignation which exists among the citizens of Auckland with reference to the action of the French authorities of New Caledonia in sending a vessel with released convicts to our shores. The Council calls upon the Government to take immediate and decided steps to protect the citizens from a repetition of this obnoxious form of immigration with which they are threatened. The Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Thomas Peacock, Mayor. *