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SESS. 1.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCH FROM THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, INVITING THE PREMIERS OF THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES TO VISIT ENGLAND, ACCOMPANIED BY DETACHMENTS OF THE LOCAL FORCES, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HER MAJESTY'S REIGN, AND TELEGRAMS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. (Telegram.) (Eeceived 27th January, 1897.) Governor, Wellington, New Zealand. There will be great public commemoration sixtieth anniversary Queen's accession, at which representatives of foreign nations will be present. Her Majesty the Queen has approved of my suggestion that head of each self-governing colony should also be invited to take part in this unique demonstration. I have accordingly to request you will be good enough to convey to the Premier the invitation of Her Majesty's Government to visit England in June, and to be their guest during his stay in this country, and their hope that he may be accompanied by his wife. Should this invitation be accepted, the presence of the Premier would afford a valuable opportunity of maintenance of communications with discussions on many questions of the greatest Imperial interest. They are hoping that the colonies may also desire that their military forces should be represented on this occasion, together with those of the Crown colonies, who will be sending detachments in this case. I request you, after consulting with your Ministers, to suggest the numbers, which should not be large, and the composition of the contingent. Cavalry will be best, and, if necessary, horses can be lent in this country and barrack-accom-modation provided. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously promised to receive the Premiers and to inspect the troops. Despatch follows by mail. Date of celebration will be telegraphed when announced. (London, 25th.) CHAMBERLAIN.

No. 2. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th January, 1897. You are aware that the present year will witness the sixtieth anniversary of the accession to the throne of ■the reigning sovereign, an event altogether unprecedented in the history of the British Empire. 2. The event is unique, and its importance so great that it would in any case merit and receive exceptional commemoration. But Her Majesty Queen Victoria has in a remarkable manner endeared herself to all her subjects throughout the world; and I feel sure that in her colonial possessions, which are more specially under my charge, there is no one who would not, when the day comes, wish to feel that he is sharing, however remotely, in the tributes of joyful affection with which she will be acclaimed here in England. It appears