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Table of Contents — continued.

No. 1. Mr. Lyttelton to the Governors op the Self-governing Colonies. (Circular.) Mt Lobd, Downing Street, 20th April, 1905. I have the honour to invite your attention to the following observations, and to request that, after conferring with your Ministers, you will furnish me with the views of your Government on the subject to which they relate: — 1 The Colonial Conference which met in the spring of 1887 was summoned by despatch trom Mr Edward Stanhope, Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 25th November, 1886. The subjects suggested in that despatch were defence and postal and telegraphic communications. But the Conference when it met also discussed other questions, such, for instance, as those relative to the Pacific islands, the adoption by the colonies of similar legislation to that proposed in the United Kingdom with regard to merchandise marks and patents, the effect of foreign bounties upon colonial su"-ar-production, and questions as to bankruptcy, wills, and the investment of trust funds m colonial securities. Many of the subjects were raised, without notice, at the last moment. 2 In the case of this Conference, the colonies were not specially invited to send their Prime Ministers It was said in the despatch of the 25th November, 1886, " The Conference will necessarily be purely consultative, and it will not, therefore, be material that the colonies should have equal or proportional representation upon it. The desire of Her Majesty's Government would rather be that its constitution should be sufficiently comprehensive to include, in addition to the Agent-General or other specially deputed representative of each Government, any leading public man who may be at liberty to come to England next year and may be specially qualified to take a useful part in the deliberations." _ ~■,.. • ,■, .. 3 The representatives of the colonies who attended this Conference did, in fact, include three Prime Ministers of self-governing colonies, but were for the most part, as was suggested in the above-mentioned despatch, leading public men who happened to be in London in connection with

Serial No. From or to whom. Colony, &c. Date. Subject. To Governor-General Earl Grey Governor - General Lord Northcote Governor Sir W. MacGregor Canada, Telegram Australia, Telegram Newfoundland 1905. July 18 Agrees to postponement of reply. 5 (i 7 (Rec. Aug. 17) July 28 18) Summarises reply of Ministers which is being sent by mail. Encloses copy of a letter from the Prime Minister pointing out that Newfoundland could neither give trade preferences nor contribute to Imperial defence, and expressing doubt whether the time has arrived for the establishment of an Imperial Council. Reports that New Zealand will be represented at the Colonial Conference if it is held early in the Governor Lord Plunket New Zealand, Telegram (Rec. Aug'. 24) 8 9 10 11 To Governor Lord Plunket Governor - General Lord Northcote To Governor Sir William MacGregor To Governor Lord Plunket New Zealand, Telegram Australia Newfoundland. New Zealand, Telegram New Zealand, Telegram Canada August 31 August 16 (Rec. Sept. 19) October 16 October 17 year. Inquires whether an answer to No. 1 may be expected before the Conference; if so, asks that it may be sent as soon as possible. Transmits copy of a letter from the Prime Minister concurring in the proposed formation of an Imperial Council and permanent Commission, but pointing out that if the Conference is not to assemble until June, 1906, it will be almost impossible for Ministers to attend. Points out that it was not intended that the Imperial Council should possess any executive or legislative powers, and expresses hope that the Colonial Government will agree to the appointment of the permanent Commission pending a decision as to a change in the name of the Conference. Inquires when an answsr to No. 9 may be expected. Reports that Ministers regret they cannot send a reply till the elections are over. Forwards, copy of minute from Ministers suggesting " Imperial Conference " as an alternative name for the Conference, and promising full consideration to the proposal to appoint a permanent Commission. Observes that it appears to His Majesty's Government to be doubtful whether sufficient preparation of the subjects to be discussed could be made before the spring of 1906, and requests to be informed whether, in the opinion of the respective Governments, it would be advisable to postpone'the meeting of the Conference until 1907. 12 13 Governor Lord Plunket (Rec. Nov. 14) 14 Governor - General Earl Grey November 17 (Rec. Nov. 27) To 'Governors of self-go-verning colonies Telegram November 29 15