A.—l

36

No. 38. (No. 46.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th March, 1885. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 79, dated the 11th December last, concerning the proposed Federal Council of Australasia, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers, stating that they consider that it will be better that the whole subject should be postponed until a clear understanding as to it has been arrived at by the colonies interested. Tour Lordship will already have learnt the opinion of my Government through the Agent-General for New Zealand. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

A.-2, No. 31. See also No. 46 mfra.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministees present their respectful compliments to His Excellency. 2. With regard to Lord Derby's Despatch No. 79, of the 11th of December, as to " the legislation necessary for the establishment of a Federal Council of Australasia," Ministers desire to state that in His Excellency's absence from Wellington they forwarded to the Agent-General the following telegram:— " Federal Bill. Until Parliament meets, cannot speak authoritatively. Our views are same as expressed in resolutions proposed to House. Object to Bill, also, as altered by Colonial Office, on grounds interferes with autonomy colonies, and in not allowing colonies reject or adopt laws passed by Council. Think Bill should be postponed until colonies better agreed. Press views Colonial Office, and make public." 3. As the Parliament of New Zealand passed last year a resolution declaring that the sub ect of federation should be deferred until the next session, Ministers do not see their way to express any opinions as to the Federal Council Bill of the late Convention, or as to the amendments thereof proposed by Lord Derby. 4. Considering the importance of the measure, and the differing views respecting it that have been expressed by some of the colonies, Ministers think it will be every way better that the whole subject should be postponed until a clearer understanding as to it has been arrived at by the colonies interested. Wellington, 28th March, 1885. Bobeet Stout.

No. 39. (No. 48.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 11th April, 1885. With reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 2 of the 10th January last and other correspondence concerning the case of William Sheehan, I have the honour to state that every facility and assistance for the execution of his duty was afforded to Sergeant Dunny by my Government; and that arrangements have been made that Detective Walker shall go to Ireland with Sergeant Dunny and the prisoner by the mail which takes this despatch. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

A.-2, No. 33,

No. 40. (No. 50.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 11th April, 1885. I have the honour to state that, in view of the possible outbreak of hostilities, steps have been taken to place this colony in a state of defence. 2. As your Lordship is probably aware, in accordance with the recommendation of a Commission on Colonial Defences which sat in London in 1878, a certain number of guns —7-ton and 64-pounders—were ordered by the New Zealand Government. No steps, however, were taken to provide the necessary works for their reception until Colonel (now Major-General) Scratchley in 1880 reported on the subject.

See also No. 44 infra.