A.—s

Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS, HELD AT HOBART, 2nd, 3rd, AND 4th FEBRUARY, 1897.

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

An informal meeting of the Conference was held at the Chief Secretary's Office on the afternoon of Monday, the Ist February, 1897, the under-mentioned gentlemen being present: The Hon. Sir Hugh Nelson, Queensland; the Hon. C. C. Kingston, South Australia; the Hon. Sir Edward Braddon, Tasmania; the Hon. Sir George Turner, Victoria; the Hon. Sir John Forrest, Western Australia; and the Hon. R. J. Seddon, New Zealand. The Hon. E. J. Seddon moved, That Sir Edward Braddon be appointed President of the Conference. The motion, having been seconded by Sir Hugh Nelson, was carried unanimously. Mr. George Steward, Secretary to the Premier of Tasmania, was appointed Secretary to the Conference. An agenda was agreed upon, and it was decided to meet next day, at 11 a.m. The Hon. G. H. Eeid took part in the Conference on and from Wednesday, the 3rd February, 1897.

MINUTES OP PROCEEDINGS. (1.) Secretary of State for Colonies' Suggestions on Closer Trade Relations with the Mothercountry. Resolved, That this Conference favours closer commercial relations between the Mother-country and the Australasian Colonies on a basis of mutual advantage. The Conference further desires to state its opinion that full inquiry into the subject, whether by a commission of experts or otherwise, should be instituted, and that any definite proposals subsequently made should receive the fullest consideration from the Australasian Governments. (2.) Intercolonial Reciprocity. Resolved, That this question be postponed until after the conclusion of the Federal Convention. (3.) Australasian Quarantine. Resolved, That the recommendations of the Australian Quarantine Conference, as modified by the resolutions of the Premiers' Conference of March, 1896, be adopted, and a system of Federal quarantine be established. That the Federal stations be : Albany, Thursday Island, and Adelaide. And, if New Zealand and Tasmania concur in the agreement drafted by Queensland, they will join with Hobart and Auckland as quarantine-stations. (4.) Codification of Commercial Laiv of United Kingdom and all Colonies-. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Conference, the best course to adopt is to deal with each subject of commercial law by separate Bill, as this will expedite the work, and enable the colonies to adopt the portions of the code as passed, with such modifications as the circumstances of the different colonies may require. (5.) Treaty with Japan. Resolved, That this Conference, having considered the Japanese treaty with its proposed alterations, affirms the decision of the Sydney Conference of March, 1896, not to take advantage of its provisions. (6.) Conservation of British Interests in Pacific Islands. Resolved, That the Premiers of Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, in Conference assembled, earnestly urge that the Imperial authorities will zealously guard and conserve British interests in the Pacific.