A.—s

2

You will no doubt readily understand that, in the event of Her Majesty's Government rejecting, at the instance of some of the Australian Governments, this offer to discontinue transportation, especially if that offer should be accompanied, as the Government of Now Zealand supported by that of New South Wales urges that it should be, by an offer of the cession of Eapa, the position of Her Majesty's Government in pressing hereafter the objections of the colonies to the transportation of convicts to French soil would be much weakened. I am also to observe that, as the French Government will certainly not consent to the establishment of the authority of any other Power in the New Hebrides, which form a part of the same geographical group with New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, and in which French enterprise has made considerable progress, there is little chance of such a modification of the existing agreement so as to insure the Now Hebrides becoming a British possession, and that if satisfactory facilities for trade and adequate security for religious freedom can be obtained, as well as the total cessation of the transportation of convicts by France to the Pacific, together with the cession of Eapa, such an arrangement would seem to be to the advantage of the Australasian Colonies. A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the Governors of the Australasiau Colonies by the next mail. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Bkamston.

No. 2, The Agent-Genebal to the Pkemiee. To Premier, New Zealand. . . . . Hebbides. —Lord Granville sending despatch Governors favour accepting French offer. I believe attitude Sydney hastening decision. Can you manage with Sydney that Samuel myself act together, provided following objects attained: Firstly, immediate abolition convictism throughout Pacific ; secondly, equal trading rights like Eaiatea : thirdly, adequate safeguards, religious freedom, and protection missions ; fourthly, Rapa ceded ; fifthly, Raratonga annexed. 23rd April, 1886. " _________________ F- D- Bell-

No. 3. The PiiESiiEi; to the Agent-Genehal. New Hebkides. —Must defer answering telegram few days. Consulting Presbyterians try and obtain consent. Robeet Stout. 27th April, 1886.

No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Sik, — . 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 30th April, 1886. By some accident the letter from the Colonial Office to the Agents-General on the New Hebrides question, copy of which I sent you on the 23rd instant, was sent to me without the communication from the French Ambassador, to which it referred. The omission was supplied a day or two afterwards, and I now enclose copy of M. Waddington's note. I have,, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. M. Waddinuton to the Earl of Bosebeky. Monsieue le Comte, — Lc 6 Mars, 1886. J'ai etc heureux de pouvoir vous annoncer, dans notre entrcticn d'liier, que mon Gouvernement, par deference pour l'opinion que vous aviez eniise, et gui emprunte a la connaissanco approfondie de l'Australie que possede voCre Beigneurie une valeur particuliere, ec aussi dans le but de faciliter la negotiation au suiet dcs Nouvelles-Hebrides, d'ajourner l'expedition dcs recidivistes a l'iie dcs Pins jusqu'a la reception dcs responses dcs colonies australienn.es. Votre Excellence a bier voulu so montrer satisfaite de cette resolution, gui repondait au desir da Gouvernement de la Eeiue. Je n'ai pas marque, ainsi que vous me l'avez demande, de transmettre tous vos reinerciments a Monsieur de Freycinet. Poursuivant mon entretien avec votre Excellence, j'ai fait ressortir que nous ne poussions transporter les recidivistes sur d'autres points que la Nouvelles-Caledonie, faute d'installations appropriees ; et que les Chambres franeaises n'accorderaient certainement pas les credits necessaires pour la construction d'establissements de cette nature, si la libre posssession dcs Nouvelles Hebrides n'etait prealablement assuree au Gouvernement do la Republique. J'ai expose, en outre, que l'execution de la loi sur les recidivistes s'imposait chaquo jour davantage, et que nous no pourrions que bicn diffieilement differer l'envoi projete au dela do la fin d'Avril. J'ai alors passe en revue avec V.S. les divers elements de la question, en insistaut surtout sur les trois points suivants :«(1.) La Nouvelle-Caledonie a besom de colons et de travailleurs, et nous esperons que les recidivistes en fourniront une certaine quantite. Si cette ressource est supprimee, il ny a que les Nouvelles-Hebrides gui puisaent dormer dcs travailleurs en nonibre suffisant. (2.) Les Australiens n'ont pas besom de nouveaux territoires, tandis qu'ils desirent obtenir une garantie contre l'inliltration dcs criminels etrangers chez eux. (3.) Pour une gvande puissance e'esfc toujoui*s chose grave que d'aliener une portion, si petite qu'elle soit, de ses droits souveraius; et