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any nation, and that you are prepared to give effect to those wishes in the mode which is most agreeable to the Imperial views. The only other remark which I would like to make is that I think, sir, on a reference to Section 75 of the Federation Bill, which was carried in its present form by a considerable majority at the Federal Convention at Adelaide, and which regulates the right of appeal, it seems to me that the right of appeal is somewhat larger than one might possibly have mistakenly gathered from your observations, and that it confers the right of appeal to the Queen in Council in any matter in which the public interests are concerned. For reasons which I have already mentioned, I do not propose to make any further observations at this time.

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Sir W. V. Whiteway.] I do not desire to offer any lengthened observa. tions at the present moment, but possibly I may make some remarks, at a future time, upon the various matters which have been put before us. I would say now is, that I unite with those who have expressed their obligation to you, not only for the Governmental hospitalities which have been extended to us, but also for personal attentions and kindness which you have shown us, and which we appreciate. You have clearly laid before us the various matters which we shall have to discuss, and with regard to Mr. Reid's proposition that we should meet to consider them prior to our making suggestions to you, I think we should adopt it. You have spoken of senti- ment as being that which rules at the present time, if I understood you aright, but sentiment may change, and I think the more practical way in which we could look upon the various matters which are before us, and with the view of cementing the union which we are all desirous of accomplishing, is to put our trade, commercial, and other relations upon a satisfactory footing, and whatever sentiment may exist, based upon a solid foundation, that sentiment is sure to continue. There is a matter which is not new to you, sir, which I shall take an opportunity of bringing before you. You are aware at the present moment how much we are suffering from the enormous bounties which are given by the French with regard to cod-fish, which have operated so prejudicially in the past, and are operating so prejudicially at present. Her Majesty's Government appointed a Commission, and I believe that Com- mission has reported on the question of the sugar bounties. With all due deference, I would submit that a Commission might be appointed to consider the question of bounties generally.

The Secretary of State.] Excuse me for interrupting you. I think that that is a matter which we must discuss together; it is not one which concerns the Premiers as a whole. I am rather anxious to keep this meeting to matters which concern them as a whole.

Sir W. V. Whiteway.] Thank you.

The Secretary of State.] I hope to have a private and separate interview with you

about the bounties.

Sir W. V. Whiteway.] Then I will content myself with thanking you, and offer no further remarks at present.

Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] I cordially support the suggestion of my right hon. friend Mr. Reid that we should adjourn this meeting, and having had an opportunity of reading and carefully considering your admirable address, which I venture to thank you for most heartily-having had that oppor- tunity we may be prepared to meet, and to be, I hope, very much in unison as to any remarks we may have to make upon it. I am convinced, very clearly convinced, that the clear and admirable way in which you have put several points will conduce to that harmonious decision among ourselves on the questions generally, and I necessarily must hope it will have that effect, inasmuch as I find myself very much in accord with those remarks where possibly some of my colleagues from

differ from me. Australasia

If I might venture to make suggestion as to the matters which are to come under discussion, I would ask that we may have an opportunity of saying something with regard to the New Hebrides. It appears that France is labouring

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under a very serious misapprehension as to the feeling expressed at the last meeting of the Federal Council held in Hobart, and you are aware both by what was decided at that meeting and also by the resolution passed at the Conference of Premiers held in February last that the view generally entertained, I may say I think almost unanimously entertained, throughout Australia in regard to the islands of the Pacific is that, as the resolution says, British interests in the Pacific may be zealously guarded and conserved, which is very far from admitting that we think as to the Pacific that the French nation has any superior claim to ourselves to the New Hebrides. I am happy to be in the position to say that my nomination of a representative of Tasmania to the Paris Exhibition in 1900 will, I hope, be placed in your hands to-morrow.

Sir John Forrest.] I do not desire to say anything at the present time. I quite agree with the proposal of my friend, Mr. Reid, and I wish to thank you for your interesting, able and very friendly address.

Mr. Harry Escombe.] Mr. Chamberlain, it occurred to me at first that with your more complete grasp of all the factors of the problem perhaps you might indicate to us a line of conduct which the representatives of the different Colonies might be able to concur in; but I thank you very much for correcting a misapprehension in my own mind on that point by the very excellent and clear statement which you made to us as regards the relations between the Colonies and Her Majesty's Government, and I do see now as clearly as I see anything that the burden is on us to show to Her Majesty's Government what, if anything, we require at the hands of Her Majesty's Government. That is, I think, as clear as clear can be, and if it be so, then I fall in with the proposal made that we shall consider these matters by ourselves, and then be able to consider, after that friendly consultation, with yourself the important questions which you have brought under our notice. I think, therefore, it is only necessary for me now to join to the expression, already given voice to, my humble acknowledgments of the obligation we are under for the manner in which you have put before us the important questions with which we have to deal.

Mr. Seddon.] There is a question upon which we all agree, I think, and that is the important question of the unrestricted investment of trust funds in Colonial securities. Probably we may leave that matter. Also there is the legislation in respect of trade marks. I would suggest that the opinion of the law advisers of the Crown ought to be taken as to whether goods marked "foreign' coming here can be re-packed and re-shipped, as is being done, to the Colonies, and sold there as British-made goods. Of course we have not there what you have here, legal obligations that each article shall be stamped "Made in Germany."

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The Secretary of State.] Of course, I did not intend that the list I laid before you should be considered as exhaustive in any sense, but Premier who desires, with the consent of his colleagues, to bring up any matter in which they are interested, will of course have full opportunities of doing so at these meetings, and of course I am always open to a personal interview with any single Premier in regard to matters in which he is singly interested. I would say, also, that it would be very desirable in matters such as those which have just been mentioned by Mr. Seddon, and where really there is no need for discussion, and the only question is whether practical effect can be given to the wishes which are expressed, it would be very desirable if we could have in writing the applications, because I have, as you will understand, to consult colleagues in other Departments of State, and it is so much better to do that if I have a written application than if I merely report your words and possibly misunderstand them. Then I understand that every gentleman present will be kind enough to send to Sir John Bramston the name of the Commissioner whom he wishes to be appointed to the Paris Exhibition.

Mr. Seddon.] Will it be possible to name the Agents-General, whoever they might be?

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