A.—l.

Sub-Enclosure 4. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministees have the honour to observe, concerning Admiral Tryon's telegram of the 14th instant, that they hope that all New Zealand is doing or proposes to do has for its purpose and object tor protect British interests. His Excellency is aware that the colony is making great efforts to place the principal ports in a state of defence, and Ministers consider that it is only reasonable to expect that one or more of Her Majesty's ships of war on the Australian Station should be stationed in New Zealand. As regards the question on what information is the request preferred for the presence of "men-of-war permanently for defence of New Zealand when war has broken out," as the request was made conditionally on war breaking out, it cannot be said to be founded on special information. It was based on the fact that New Zealand is a large and important British colony, and is deserving of some protection from Her Majesty's naval forces. In former times ships of war used constantly to visit New Zealand; of late their presence has been much diminished : but it was considered and hoped that when the fleet was increased New Zealand would receive more attention, even in times of peace. But to leave it without a ship in case of war would be a cruelly exceptional course with regard to a colony of such importance. Julius Vogel, Wellington, 15th April, 1885. (in the absence of the Premier.)

No. 45. (No. 63.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, Bth May, 1885. With reference to my Despatch No. 57, dated the 25th ultimo, concerning George Townsend, a fraudulent bankrupt, I have the honour to transmit herewith the halves of the eleven hundred-pound notes therein referred to. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

No. 42 supra,

No. 46. (No. 67.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th May, 1885. With reference to my Despatch No. 46, of the 28th March last, and former correspondence, concerning the proposed Federal Council of Australasia, I have the honour to transmit herewith a memorandum from my Ministers on the subject. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

No. 38 supra,

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministers present their respectful compliments to the Governor, and have the honour to advise His Excellency to forward to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the memorandum sent herewith, " on the proposed Imperial Act for constituting an Australasian Federal Council." Wellington, 30th April, 1885. Bobert Stout.

Sub-Enclosure. Memobandum by New Zealand Ministees on the proposed Imperial Act for Constituting an Australasian Federal Council. The Government of New Zealand appeal to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to the Governments of the Australasian Colonies, to reconsider the question of the Federal Councils Bill, so far as to provide that no legislation of the Federal Council shall have effect within any colony until the Legislature of that colony shall have approved of such legislation. This Government consider it would be quite impossible, without the insertion of such a provision, to recommend its acceptance to the Parliament of New Zealand; and equally impossible, if any Government were to recommend it, that the Parliament of New Zealand would consent to such an utter abnegation of its powers as would be involved by its accepting the Federal Council under the Bill proposed. If the Bill become an Act of the Imperial Parliament, it will have no effect within any colony that does not elect through its Legislature to adopt it. But when once a colony has accepted the Act, it would place itself in the position

42