PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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C.O.
8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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5. My predecessor, in his despatch of the 25th of November, indicated two principal subjects, military and naval defence, and postal and telegraphic communications, as likely to deserve the attention of the Conference; and he also suggested that there might be other important questions which, in the general opinion of the Colonial Govern. ments, may properly and usefully be brought under consideration. There may also be questions concerning a limited number of Colonies only, and suitable for discussion in a section of the Conference not including other Colonies; and again there are, no doubt, questions connected with individual Colonies which the representatives of such Colonies may desire to bring under the notice of Her Majesty's Government, apart from the Conference, on the present opportunity.
6. It will be my duty to decide in which of the above-mentioned modes any matter proposed for consideration should be dealt with, and on receiving from that you desire to bring a subject under notice, I shall be happy to consider any you an intimation suggestions from you as to when and how that subject should be discussed. Progress in this direction will obviously be facilitated if the Colonial Representatives should be dis- posed, after conferring together, to announce to me jointly any agreement to which they may come in regard to questions to be proposed for consideration.
7. I will not attempt to state definitively, until I have received some expression of the views of the Colonial Representatives in reply to this letter, the order in which I should propose to take the business already noted here for discussion; but I am at present disposed to think that, after devoting the first day to the general proceedings connected with the opening of the Conference, it will be convenient to consider, as far as may be practicable, on the next following days: (1) Postal and Telegraphic matters affecting Canada, the Australian Colonies, and New Zealand; (2) Colonial land defences; and afterwards the scheme for the naval defence of the Australasian Colonies and their commerce; other questions can then be taken up in the order which may be generally most convenient.
8. I need only observe, in conclusion, that, while desiring to afford full opportunity for the most effective consideration of all subjects which the Colonial Governments may deem specially important, I hope to receive the assistance of all the Representatives in so allotting the limited term at our disposal, as to secure the attention of the Conference to those practical questions which most urgently demand settlement.
SIR,
No. 2.
I have, &c., (Signed)
H. T. HOLLAND.
SIR S. W. GRIFFITH (QUEENSLAND) to Sir H. T. HOLLAND,
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.
Brown's Hotel, Dover Street, March 28, 1887.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential circular letter of 19th instant,* inviting an expression of opinion as to the subjects which it will be desirable to bring forward at the approaching Conference of representatives of Her Majesty's dominions.
2. With respect to the order in which the several subjects to be considered at the Conference should be taken up, I beg to suggest for consideration whether it would be more convenient to deal with matters concerning the whole of the Empire before or after the discussion of matters affecting particular groups of Colonies.
3. It will probably not fall to the representatives of Queensland to take any active part in the discussion of questions relating to postal communication, so far as regards entering into the contracts now under consideration, but they will be glad to join in the deliberations so far as they may regard general questions of policy, such as the principles which should govern the division or appropriation of postages received in the countries from which letters are transmitted, the advisableness of the Australasian Colonies giving their adhesion to the Postal Union, and the conditions on which such adhesion should be given.
• No. 1.
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4. I think that it would be advantageous to raise, during the sittings of the Conference, the question of establishing and maintaining duplicate and independent lines of telegraphic communication between Great Britain and the Australasian Colonies, and to discuss the principles on which a joint Imperial and Colonial sub- vention might be given to such lines.
5. With respect to the land defences of the Colonies, I assume that the internal defences of each Colony (including in that term the local marine force) must, under existing circumstances, be almost entirely a matter for the Colonies themselves; but I think that it would be very convenient to consider the conditions upon which Imperial military and naval officers may be seconded for limited fixed periods for the purposes of organising and commanding the Colonial forces. The advantages of a steady succession of officers for these purposes have been recognised of late, and some of the difficulties in the way have been removed. But the adoption of a definite scheme would probably much conduce to the efficiency of the auxiliary Colonial forces of the Empire.
6. The two important strategic positions of Albany and Torres Straits (Thursday Island) seem to demand special attention in connexion with the question of Imperial and Colonial defences, and I hope that time may be found at the Conference for considering Admiral Tryon's reports and recommendations on the subject, which appears to be one of common Imperial and Australian concern.
7. So far as regards the question of Australasian naval defences, I hope that the matter will be considered on the basis of the proceedings at the meeting between Admiral Tryon and the Prime Ministers of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queens- land, on board the Nelson" at Sydney at Easter, 1886.
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8. I hope that an opportunity may arise [during] the Conference of discussing the practicability of consolidating and maintaining the unity of the Empire by adding to the existing bonds a definite recognition of the principle that Her Majesty's subjects, as such, have a community of material interest as distinguished from the rest of the world, and of considering how far effect may be given to this principle by the several oountries forming part of Her Majesty's dominions affording to each other commercial concessions and advantages greater than those which are granted to subjects of other States. Without for a moment suggesting any interference with the freedom of each Legislature to deal with the tariff of the country under its jurisdiction, I conceive that such freedom is not incompatible with a general recognition of the principle that when any article is subjected to a duty on importation a higher duty should be imposed on goods coming from foreign countries than on those imported from Her Majesty's dominions.
9. In consequence of the non-arrival of some of the Australasian representatives, it has not been practicable for us to confer generally together on the subjects mentioned in your letter. I have therefore thought it desirable to offer for your consideration the foregoing observations and suggestions, which, however, are only offered subject to such modifications as may appear desirable after further consideration and consul- tation.
I have, &c., (Signed)
The Right Hon. Sir H. T. Holland, Bart., G.C.M.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Downing Street.
SIR,
No. 3:
S. W. GRIFFITH.
A. DEAKIN, Esq. (VICTORIA), to SIR H. HOLLAND.
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.
Victoria Office,
8, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, S.W.,
March 31, 1887.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant on the subject of the approaching Colonial Conference, and on behalf of my colleagues
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