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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

C.O. 885

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

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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in the representation of the Government of Victoria, as well as on my own part, I have to thank you for the information which it conveys, and to signify our acquiescence in the general arrangements you propose for the conduct of business in the Conference. With reference to your inquiry in paragraph 4, as to the subjects on which we have been instructed by our Government, I am to state that, in addition to the matters of general Imperial concern, such as those relating to defence and certain aspects of the mail service and cable questions, in which all the Colonies may be presumed to have a joint interest, and which will be introduced by yourself, there are a number of other issues in which the Australasian Colonies in general, and Victoria in particular, have a special interest.

The principal of these are:-

I. Deportation of foreign convicts to the Pacific.

II. The occupation of the New Hebrides.

III. The future government of New Guinea.

IV. The employment by the Colonies of military and naval officers now in or retired

from the Imperial service.

V. Extension of the privilege of investing trust funds to colonial debentures.

In reply to your invitation of an expression of opinion as to the order in which questions may be taken, I am further to state, that of those already mentioned, the employment of naval and military officers may naturally be considered in connexion with the general question of defence. It is hoped that a communication made within the last few days by the Agents General for South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria to the Postmaster General on behalf of the respective Governments may greatly curtail, so far as the Australian Governments are concerned, the discussion of postal communication; and we would suggest that you may thus be enabled to fix an early date for the consideration of the closely related question of the New Hebrides and French convict settlements in the Pacific, a question by far the most important to Australasia that will come under consideration. The New Guinea question may perhaps next be considered in committee of a certain number of the Australian dele- gates. The question of the investment of trust funds in colonial debentures is one which concerns all the Colonies, and its discussion would therefore be arranged to suit the general convenience.

I may venture to promise, in conclusion, that no effort will be wanting on our part to bring the deliberations of the Conference to happy and practical conclusions, worthy of the Governments represented, and of the auspicious time in which it is held.

The Right Honourable

Sir Henry Holland, Bart., G.C.M.G., M.P.,

Her Majesty's Principal Secretary

of State for Colonial Affairs.

No. 4.

I have, &c., (Signed) ALFRED DEAKIN,

Chief Secretary of Victoria.

THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE CAPE COLONY to SIR H. T. HOLLAND. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.

SIR,

7 and 8, Albert Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W., April 1, 1887.

As delegates from the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, we have the honour to suggest the consideration at the approaching Conference of the following special subjects in addition to the general question of defence and the other subjects referred to in your confidential communication of the 19th instant :--

1. The necessity for an improved system of cable communication from a commercial as well as a defensive point of view.

2. The advisability of consultation with Colonial Governments before concluding arrangements with a foreign power in regard to annexation of territories adjacent to British Colonies.

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3. The position of foreign powers in relation to adjacent British Colonies with the view of preventing any blocking of British trade routes.

4. The feasibility of promoting closer union between the various parts of the British Empire by means of an Imperial customs' tariff, the revenue derived from such tariff to be devoted to the general defence of the Empire.

5. The desirability of taking the decennial Census on the same day, and as nearly as possible in the same form, throughout the Empire.

6. The question of succession, stamp, or other duties payable upon property situate in the Colonies, but administered in the United Kingdom, or dealt with therein, in connexion with companies or otherwise.

7. The existing stamp duty upon Colonial bonds and stock.

8. The necessity for better provision for the preservation of life at sea.

The Right Hon.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5.

We have, &c., (Signed)

THOMAS UPINGTON. J. H. HOFMEYR. CHARLES MILLS.

J. W. DOWNER, Esq. (SOUTH AUSTRALIA), to SIR H. T. HOLLAND.

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.

8, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, London, S.W.,

April 2, 1887.

SIB,

I HAVE the honour in replying to your confidential letter of the 19th March to apologise for not having earlier forwarded an answer.

The explanation of the delay is that the representatives from New South Wales only reached London yesterday, and it became impossible, therefore, to act earlier on your suggestion, that the Colonial representatives should confer together with a view to the announcement to you of a joint agreement as to the questions proposed for con- sideration.

The subjects on which I will probably address the Conference are :-

1. Colonial, naval, and land defences.

2. Postal matters affecting the Australian Colonies and Europe.

3. Telegraphic matters as affecting Canada, the Australian Colonies, and New Zealand.

4. Some scheme for drawing more closely together the commercial relations between England and the Colonies. Sir Samuel Griffith has, I am informed, given notice of a motion in this direction.

5. The desirability of recognition in England of marriages in the Colonies with a deceased wife's sister.

6. The necessity of an Imperial Statute to facilitate proceedings against debtors and certain other persons absconding from one portion of Her Majesty's possessions to

another.

I have no suggestion to make as to the order in which these subjects should be taken, and doubtless the order mentioned by yourself will be satisfactory to all the representatives.

The Right Hon. Sir H. T. Holland, Bart.

I have, &c., (Signed)

J. W. DOWNER.

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