A.—3d

10

Government, assenting to the placing of Herr Liidcritz and his possessions at Angra Pequefia under the cegis of the Empire, and wishing him joy of the enterprise. It was somewhat surprising, however, that he had had to wait since December for an answer from the English Government to his inquiry as to its views on the subject of Angra Pequefia. But England evidently attached a high value to the friendship of Germany. The power of the German Empire was not to be underrated; and could be put forth, moreover, without its possessing a formidable fleet. France, for example, stood before the gates of Metz, and if any subjects of the Empire were to suffer at her hands in distant lands a reaction would not fail to take effect in the region of Metz. In this way the Empire would always be able to give protection to any colonists that it might come to possess; and Germans throughout the world must be taught to take pride in the Civis Bomanus sum feeling. As for the Congo question, that was a very complicated matter, since he could not well recognize the Anglo-Portugese Treaty. But the Government was prepared to support Belgian enterprise, which aimed at the erection of a free State on the Congo, that would take account of ■Germany's commercial interests; and negotiations on this head were pending. The Empire ■demanded to be treated there on the same footing as other nations. The Chancellor disclaimed any intention of making a demonstration against England by the debate; and all he wanted was a parliamentary division on the Subsidy Bill, in order to see who would really have the courage to vote against it. Should it be rejected, he would certainly feel discouraged in the matter of that colonial policy, of the moderate and non-adventurous kind that he had referred to, which had been advocated with such apparent enthusiasm by the nation at large. The Chancellor's arguments were warmly opposed by Herren Eickert, Bamberger, and Bichter, who contended that there was no necessary connection between the Subsidy Bill and the question of colonization, and argued that the former must be considered from the purely financial point of view. But with an Imperial deficit of twenty-two millions, it would be a wanton wasto of money to lay out an annual sum of four millions for imaginary benefits. On the motion of Dr. Windthorst, the debate was adjourned till Friday ; but it is expected that Parliament will rise on or about that day, and, in any case, there is not very much hope for the measure.

No. 29. The Agent-Geneeal for New Zealand to the Peemiee. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 25th July, 1884. Not having heard from Lord Derby the result of his having brought the question of New Guinea before the Cabinet, the Agents-General of New_ South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand sent in a letter to his Lordship of which I beg to transmit a copy herewith, expressing the hope that they might not appear importunate in asking to be informed as soon as possible of the decision of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

Enclosure. 8, Victoria Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., My Loed,— 23rd July, 1884. At the interview which we had with your Lordship on the 2nd instant, you were good enough to say that you would submit to the Cabinet the proposals then brought under your consideration in reference to the Western Pacific, and inform us of the result. As the Parliaments of the Australasian Colonies are at present either in session or about to meet, when authority must be asked for the confirmation of the contributions of the respective colonies to the guarantee of fifteen thousand pounds given by their Governments in response to the proposals contained in your Lordship's despatch of the 9th of May, we hope we shall not be considered importunate if we request that the decision of Her Majesty's Government may be communicated to us as soon as possible. We have, &c. Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. F. D. Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand. EOBT. MUKEAY SMITH, Agent-General for Victoria. Wm. Hemmant, Acting Agent-General for Queensland. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby, K.G. Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs.

No. 30. The Agent-Genekal for New Zealand to the Peemieb. ■Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W. 29th July, 1884. I transmit to you a Times, report of what passed in the House of Commons last night, when two questions were put by Mr. Errington and Sir H. Maxwell, respecting Lord Derby's intentions in regard to a Protectorate over New Guinea, and in regard to the proposed uniform legislation by the colonies in case the Eecidiviste Bill should become law.