A.—3e

Sess. IL—lBB4. NEW ZEALAND.

CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. THE FOREIGN CRIMINALS BILL, AS PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF QUEENSLAND. THE RECIDIVIST BILL: PRECIS OF THE REPORT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE, AND OF THE AMENDED BILL.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. The Peemiee, Victoria, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Sie, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, 24th July, 1884. At the instance of the Hon. the Premier T>f Queensland, I beg to submit for your consideration the accompanying Bill to prevent the introduction of Foreign Criminals into Queensland. The Hon Mr. Griffith has had this Bill prepared with the object of bringing about identical legislation in all tho colonies. I enclose also a copy of Mr. Griffith's explanatory letter, and shall be glad if you will let me know your views with regard to tho matter at your earliest convenience. I have, &c. The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, James Seevice, Wellington. Chairman of Convention Committee.

Enclosure. Sie, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 2nd July, 1844. As promised in my letter of tho 2Gth ultimo, I now enclose for your consideration twelve copies of a draft Bill to prevent the introduction of Foreign Criminals into Queensland. You will observe that the provisions of the Bill, which are extremely stringent, deal with the two possible modes of introduction of criminals—by ships and by boats. The latter mode is the one which we in Queensland have most to fear. It appears to us that the only effectual mode ol preventing men from escaping to Australia (with, I fear too frequently, the connivance of their gaolers) is by letting them know that on their arrival they will find their condition rather worse than better. As to their introduction by ships, the most effectual way will be the best. The scheme suggested is analogous to that under the Chinese Immigration Regulation Acts, by which the assistance of the captain and owners of the ship, in the enforcement of tho law, is secured by means of heavy penalties. 1 hope that the other colonies will not be alarmed at the severity of the proposed provisions. For myself, I have little doubt that Her Majesty's assent to such a Bill would not be refused. The Hon. James Service, M.B. I am, &c. Premier of Victoria, Melbourne. S. W. Geifpith.

Sub-Enclosure. A Bill to tbevent the Inteoduction of Foeeicn Criminals into Queensland. Be it EN4CJ33ED by-the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of Queensland in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows f— 1. In this Act'the following terms have the meanings set against them respectively, that is to say,— "Foreign criminal" —Any person who has been transported or deported under tire authority of a foreign State to any place, whether a possession of that State or not, or