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PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

Reference:

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TTITUC.O.885

سلسل سلسا

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

MINUTE for the RIGHT HoxOURABLE the PRIME MINISTER of the COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA.

The Governor-General has to submit, for the information of the Right Honourable the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, the subjoined copy of a téle graphic despatch which has this day been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:-

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Referring to your telegram of the 26th February, no proposals yet formulated beyond decision to provide four additional Law Lords to secure permanent and adequate representation of great Colonies and India. Question of tenure of office, preservation of existing Courts and procedure will be for discussion by Conference. Earnestly hope your Government will send Delegate.”

March 5, 1901.

HOPETOUN,

Governor-General.

MINUTE for the RIGHT HONOURABLE the PRIME MINISTER of the Commonwealth of AUSTRALIA.

The Governor-General has to submit, for the information of the Right Honourable the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, the subjoined copy of a tele- graphic despatch which has this day been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the question of the stronger Colonial representation on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council :—

"Referring to your telegram of 14th March, trust your Ministers will be able to deal with matter at an carly date."

March 19, 1901.

HOPETOUN,

Governor-General.

MINUTE for his Excellency the Governor-GenERAL.

Mr. Barton presents his humble duty to your Excellency, and desires to refer to your Excellency's despatches of the 15th February, 5th March, and 19th March, relating to the question of the appointment of a Delegate to visit England to confer on the subject of the stronger Colonial representation on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and to your Excellency's Memorandum of the 20th March, forwarding a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 15th February, 1901, on the same subject, and has to inform your Excellency that Ministers have given careful consideration to this important matter.

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Mr. Barton will be glad if your Excellency will cause the Secretary of State to be informed by telegraph that it would be very inconvenient to the Federal Government to send a Delegate to England at the present time, and that Ministers venture to suggest that the matter may be deferred until the next Session of the Imperial Parlia- ment, and that, in the meantime, they may be favoured with the views of His Majesty's Ministers on this subject, and be permitted to express their own.

Mr. Barton will be glad also if the Secretary of State for the Colonies can be informed that the Prime Minister purposes asking your Excellency to communicate an expression of opinion of Ministers on the subjects comprised in the despatch of the 18th February before mentioned.

April 15, 1901.

EDMUND BARTON,

Prime Minister.

MINUTE for the RIGHT HONOURABLE the PRIME MINISTER of the COMMONWEALTH Of AUSTRALIA.

The Governor-General has to submit, for the information and earnest considera- tion of the Right Ilonourable the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, the subjoined copy of a telegraphic despatch which has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies :--

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'Referring to your telegram of the 16th April, all Colonics concerned, namely, Canada, Cape, New Zealand, Natal and Newfoundland have already accepted invitation and appointed Delegates. It is impossible for His Majesty's Government to lay their views before your Government until they have had an opportunity to confer with Delegates. His Majesty's Government are keeping open mind until they can gather the opinion of the Colonies upon the many important points of principle and detail which will arise. Under the circumstances it is not possible to postpone Conference, and His Majesty's Government earnestly hope that your Government will reconsider its decision and consent to become represented. Failing this, although absence of Australian Delegate would be most regrettable and would detract from the value of the Conference, His Majesty's Government would see no alternative but to go on with Conference."

April 22, 1901.

HOPETOUN,

Governor-General.

MINUTE for his Excellency the GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Mr. Barton presents his humble duty to your Excellency, and desires to beĮ allowed to refer to your Excellency's Minute of the 22nd instant respecting the appointment of a Delegate to visit England and confer with His Majesty's Govern- nient on the subject of the stronger Colonial representation on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

> Mr. Barton desires to draw the attention of your Excellency to a statement in the Melbourne papers of to-day's date, reporting that the Earl of Onslow, Par- liamentary Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in speaking at the annual banquet of the Royal Colonial Institute, said that "a Conference of crpinent jurists would be convened at the close of the year to discuss the establishment of an Imperial Appellate Court," and he will be glad if inquiries can be made from the Secretary of State for the Colonics to ascertain whether the statement attributed to the Earl of Onslow is accurately reported.

Mr. Barton will also be glad if it can be intimated to His Majesty's Government that if it be so, the time indicated would render the representation of the Common- wealth at such Conference casier and more convenient.

EDMUND BARTON,

April 26, 1901.

Prime Minister.

MINUTE for the RIGHT HONOURABLE the PRIME MINISTER of the COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA.

The Governor-General has to submit, for the information of the Right Honourable the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, the subjoined copy of a telegraphic despatch, which has this day been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:-

Referring to your telegram of the 27th April, Lord Onslow was referring to proposed Conference on Imperial Court of Appeal, which it is hoped will conclude its labours in time for legislation here before the end of tlie year. Necessity for early settlement is becoming urgent owing to retirement or death of members of Privy Council. Trust, therefore, that your Government will take decision at once.

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