CO885-(11-13) — Page 62

6886.

No. 765, (CANADA.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

MY LORD,

We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Holland's

Temple, July 5, 1872. letter of the 4th instant, stating that Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce at once into Parliament a Bill to give effect to the Treaty of Washington in accordance with the provisions of the 33rd Article of that treaty, and he (Mr. Holland) was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us copies of two Draft Bills which had been prepared by the Government draftsman for that purpose.

That it would be seen that the Bills were framed upon the model of the Imperial Act 18 Vict. c. 3., by which effect was given to the Convention of 1854, and the only difference between them was in that part which provides for the time when the Act should come into operation.

That when the Imperial Act of 1858 was passed both the Colonial Legislature and the Congress of the United States had passed the necessary Acts to give effect to the Convention, but in the present case Congress had not legislated upon the subject.

That the Imperial Parliament was therefore in the same position that Congress was in 1854, and he (Mr. Holland) was to refer us to the preamble of the Imperial Act of 1855, as showing the mode of legislation adopted by the Congress on that occasion.

That under these circumstances we were requested to favour your Lordship with our opinion as to which of the two drafts should be introduced into Parliament and with what, if any, alterations.

That he (Mr. Holland) was to add that it was important that your Lordship should be in a position to introduce the Bill on Friday the 5th July, and that our opinion was requested at the earliest opportunity.

În obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to

Report

That we are of opinion that the Draft Bill No. 1 is the proper form for the Act of Parliament necessary in this case, and we recommend your Lordship to adopt that draft. The form of the draft appears to us to be correct.

The Right Hon. the Earl Kimberley,

We have, &c. (Signed) J. D. COLERIDGE.

G. JESSEL.

&c.

&c.

• 16078.-419.

95.-5/86.

&c.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PICO. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO