9

A.—4,

of the interests of this country in the New Hebrides, France will undertake not to send convicts to the Pacific. That proposition was officially made to me; but I wish to state most distinctly that it is the only connection I have with it, and that the idea of calling it a proposition made by me is one which I wish most distinctly to repudiate. The Earl of Onslow.—The account of the proceedings at the Colonial Conference which appears in the Standard substantially represents what took place. At the same time, however, it is inaccurate in some important details, and it is so incomplete as to give a misleading impression of the conclusion arrived at as to some of the most important subjects which were discussed. I might especially refer to the question referred to by the noble Earl with regard to the New Hebrides, as to which there is no report whatever of the very able speeches which were delivered by the representatives of New Zealand in favour of the proposals made by Her Majesty's Government before the Conference. I believe lam not inaccurate in saying that there was a general disposition expressed on behalf of the Delegates present to accept as satisfactory the action of Her Majesty's Government. We are most anxious to lay on the table of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest possible date a full account and report of the proceedings of the Conference. Some of these are already in print, and others are in the printers' hands. The noble Earl will understand that it will necessarily take some short time for the different Delegates to revise the reports in order that they may be in every respect accurate. As soon as that is done, and after the conclusion of the Conference early next week, papers will be laid before Parliament which will give a complete account of both the principle and the details. Whether they may be spicy or not, they will be placed in the hands of your Lordships to pronounce an opinion upon, and I may just hope that the day is not distant when we may be able to present them to Parliament. The Earl of Bosebery.—Will the papers contain reports of the speeches of the Delegates? The Earl of Onslow.—The reports will be almost if not entirely verbatim. (Hear, hear.)

House op Commons.—The Colonial Conference. Mr. Paulton asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the account in the Standard to-day of the proceedings of the Colonial Conference had been published with the authority of the Colonial Office, and whether it was correct. Sir H. Holland.—l much regret that this account of the proceedings of the Conference, which is inaccurate in many particulars and very incomplete, has appeared in the Standard. It has no official authority, and has not been sanctioned by the Colonial Office. (Hear, hear.) I have made and am making inquiry into the matter. I may add that at the earliest opportunity I shall, with the full assent of the Delegates, present a revised account of all the proceedings and papers except such as are of a strictly confidential nature. (Hear, hear.)

[Extracts from the Times, Wednesday, 11th May, 1887.] • The New Hebrides. Paris, 10th May. The Temps this evening believes that M. Waddington, the French Ambassador in London, will to-day come to an understanding with Lord Salisbury relative to the New Hebrides question.

House op Commons.—New Guinea. Mr. W. James asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government had come to any understanding with the Colony of Queensland as to the future administration of New Guinea ; and, if so, what stipulations had been made on behalf of the native inhabitants of the protected territory. Sir H. Holland.—The scheme proposed by Her Majesty's Government with respect to the government of New Guinea has been laid before the Delegates at the Conference and approved by them, but the sanction of the different Colonial Governments and Legislatures is of course required. Till communications have been made to those Governments it is not desirable to enter into details, but I can assure the honourable member that full protection has been given to native interests.

[Extract from the Times, Friday, 13th May, 1887.] England and France. Paris, 12th May. The Temps this evening states that yesterday's interview between M. Waddington, the French Ambassador in London, and Lord Salisbury resulted in a resolution that both Governments should arrive at an understanding upon the questions relating to the neutralisation of the Suez Canal and the New Hebrides. The only point now remaining to be discussed is the form to be taken by the agreement.

[Extract from the Times, Saturday, 14th May, 1887.] England and France. Paris, 13th May. The Temps this evening believes that the English and French Governments will come to an arrangement on the Suez Canal and New Hebrides questions before the end of the week.

[Extract from the Times, Wednesday, 18th May, 1887.] House op Commons.—France and the New Hebrides. Sir J. GoldsmiD asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what notice had been taken of a petition, dated September, 1863, and presented to Her Majesty by Lord Normanby on his return to England, addressed to her by the chiefs of the Island of Tanna, in the New Hebrides, objecting to 2—A. 4.