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Enclosure. [Extracts from the Times, Friday, 11th March, 1887.] The Colonial Conference. Me. O. V. Morgan asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many colonial Governments would be represented at the Conference summoned by the Government to meet in London in x\pril; whether any distinction had been made between self-governing and Crown colonies ; who would be the representatives of the Imperial Government at the Conference; where the Conference would take place, and how long it was expected to continue; and whether the House could be told what were the subjects to be put forward for discussion. Sir H. Holland.—All the colonies under Besponsible Government— i.e., Canada, the Australasian Colonies, the Cape, Newfoundland, and also the Colony of Natal—will be represented. About twenty-four or twenty-five representatives are expected. The Crown colonies will not be specially represented unless in any case a question should arise in reference to which any person from the colony happening to be in England could give useful information. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, or, in his absence, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, will preside at its sittings. Other members of Her Majesty's Government or departmental officers will attend if the subject under discussion renders their attendance desirable. The sittings of the Conference will be held at the Colonial Office. Most of the colonial representatives must return at an early date for the sessions of their Parliaments, so that the Conference cannot continue for more than a very few weeks. The subjects proposed for consideration in Mr. Stanhope's despatch inviting the Conference are (1) defence, (2) postal and telegraphic communications, (3) any other important question wdiich in the general opinion of the colonial Governments may properly and usefully be brought under consideration. Political federation is expressly excluded from discussion at the Conference.

The Imperial Conference. The forthcoming Imperial Conference, respecting which Sir Henry Holland gave some information in the House of Commons yesterday, is to begin its sittings on the 4th April, by which date it is expected that all its members will be in England. It will be seen from the list given below that the colonies have heartily responded to the invitation of the Government by sending some of the most prominent colonial statesmen to take part in this the first meeting of the Empire in Council. The members of the Imperial Federation League, at whose suggestion the Conference has been summoned, will entertain the representatives appointed by the colonies to attend it at a banquet on Saturday, 2nd April, at the Freemasons' Tavern. The Earl of Eosebery will preside, and a distinguished list of stewards, composed of men of all parties, has been issued. It is probable that there will be a very large attendance. The Duke of Cambridge has signified his intention to be present. The representatives of the various colonies, so far as settled, will be as follows : —Now South Wales: Sir Patrick Jennings (late Premier), Sir Saul Samuel (Agent-General), and the Hon. Bobert Wisdom. Queensland: Sir Samuel Griffith, K.C.M.G. (Premier), and Sir James Garrick. South Australia : The Hon. J. W. Downer (Premier), Sir Arthur Blyth (Agent-General), and the Hon. Adye Douglas. Tasmania: The Hon. John Stockell Dodds (Attorney-General). Victoria: Sir Graham Berry (Agent-General), the Hon. Alfred Deakin (Chief Secretary), the Hon. James Lorrimer (Minister of Colonial Defence), and the Hon. James Service. Western Australia: The Hon. John Forrest (Commissioner of Crown Lands). New Zealand: Sir Francis Dillon Bell (Agent-General), Sir W. Fitzherbert (Speaker Legislative Council), and the Hon. Bobert Stout (Premier). Newfoundland: The Hon. Mr. Thorbum (Premier), and Sir Ambrose Shea. Cape Colony: The Hon. T. Upington, the Hon. John Hofmeyer, and Sir Charles Mills (Agent-General). Natal: Sir W. C. Sargeaunt and Mr. Bobinson. The representatives from Canada have not yet been appointed. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, Nil; printing, (1,330 copies), £2 9s. 03.]

Authority: Geobge Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.