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No. 2.

Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michaël Hicks Beach. Bart. (Received May 11.) (Confidential.)

Sir.

Government House, Wellington, March 9, 1880.

I HAVE communicated to Ministers the purport of your cypher telegraphic message of the 25th February, which reached me through the Governor of South Australia, intimating that the Defence Commission would be glad if Delegates were deputed to represent the views of the most important colonies upon the questions which will be brought under the consideration of the Commission in June next.

2. Ministers here feel that their views upon the question of defence are not as yet sufficiently matured to justify them in accepting the invitation of the Commission to be represented before that body by a Delegate. Colonel Scratchley has recently made an inspection of the principal harbours of New Zealand, and is now engaged in the prepara- tion of a report upon the best means of providing for the defence of the Colony. This report may shortly be looked for, and Ministers request me to state that as soon as it is received a copy will at once be forwarded to you for the use of the Commission.

HERCULES ROBINSON.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 3.

»

Inclosure I in No. 3.

Telegram from the Chief Secretary, Adelaide, South Australia, to the Colonial Secretary, Sydney, dated March 1, 1880.

REFERRING to telegram from Secretary of State, forwarded to Governor of New South Wales last Saturday, this Government suggests that Sir William Jervois be asked to go to England to give evidence before Defence Commission respecting views of Australian Colonies on matters in question; it cannot be denied that he best understands the whole position from all points of view, and his statements would have much greater weight, and would be more likely to lead to any possible practical result, than those of separate Dele- gates from each Colony.

The expense of the mission, if shared by the Colonies, would be small. Copy of this sent to Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland. If your Government concurs, I would ask Sir William Jervois to visit Sydney, and personally communicate with

you before he goes to England.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

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5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Governor the Right Hop. Lord A. Loftus, G.C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received May 11.)

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Government House, Sydney, March 22, 1880.

I HAD the honour to receive on the 28th ultimo your telegram in cypher* through Sir William Jervois, stating that the Royal Commission on Colonial Defences would be glad if Delegates were deputed to represent the views of the most important Colonies.

2. On my communicating with Sir H. Parkes on this subject, he informed me that he had received also a telegram from the Chief Secretary of South Australia, of which I have the honour to annex a copy, in which he suggests that Sir Wm. Jervois should be deputed to go to England to give evidence before the Defence Commission respecting the views of

the Australian Colonies.

3. Sir H. Parkes, in admitting the great abilities of Sir William Jervois as a specialist on fortifications, did not, however, approve of the proposal of the Chief Secretary of South Australia, considering that it would put the other Colonies in a sort of secondary position if the Governor of one Colony was to represent them in a matter of the highest importance. It was, to use Sir H. Parkes' own language, giving to South Australia in an indefinite way a quasi-Governor-Generalship, and was one of those distinctions which, however harmless in itself, would not be well viewed if public attention here were drawn to it.

4. Sir H. Parkes replied on the 3rd March to Mr. Morgan by a telegram, of which the annexed is a copy, in which he represents that the proposal for a joint repre- sentation of the Colonies in the person of Sir William Jervois was open to grave objec- tions, as it was clear that the military part of the question could not be separated from matters of Australasian policy and of inter-colonial relationship; neither in the opinion of Sir H. Parkes would it be consistent with the constitutional form of this Government, nor was it probable that the Parliament would consent for the Colonies to be committed to responsibilities by an Imperial officer.

5. In reply to this telegram of Sir H. Parkes, he received an explanatory one from Mr. Morgan, a copy of which I inclose.

6. I communicated to Sir H. Parkes, immediately on its receipt, your telegram of the 6th instant, stating that it was not desired that a general Delegate to the Defence Commission should be appointed, but that the desire of the Commission was to learn the views of each Colonial Ministry through a Delegate selected by each Colony. Sir H. Parkes expressed his satisfaction with this view, and stated that he would await an answer from Victoria before taking any further decision.

7. It is probable that Sir Daniel Cooper, now Acting Agent-General for New South Wales in London, will be charged by this Government to act as the Delegate of this Colony to the Defence Commission.

I have, &c. (Signed)

* No. 142 of "Miscellaneous No, 39,"

AUGUSTUS LOFTUS.

Inclosure 2 in No. 3.

Telegram from the Hon. Sir II. Parkes to the Chief Secretary, Adelaide. YOUR proposal for a joint representation of the Colonies in the person of Sir William Jervois appears to be open to grave objections. Admitting the eminent qualifica- tions of Sir William on the question of defence, it is clear that the military part of the question could not be separated from matters of Australian policy and of inter-colonial relationship. Nor does it appear consistent with our form of Government, nor is it bable that our Parliaments would consent for the Colonies to be committed to responsi- bilities by an Imperial officer. Have sent copies of the message to Victoria and Queensland.

Inclosure 3 in No. 3.

Telegram from the Chief Secretary, Adelaide, to the Hon. Sir H. Parkes.

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The

I THINK you are under a misapprehension as to nature of proposal from me. functions of Sir William, conferred with the Governments of the several Colonies, would be

to state facts and make suggestions which might lead to proposals from Defence Commis- sion for consideration of these Governments. I suggested that there is a probability of the Home Government materially assisting the Colonies and coast defence, and probably in that of some of the more important harbours. It would be on these questions that Sir William's suggestions would be so valuable. Probably the local land forces of the different Colonies will be considered of minor importance. The several Parliaments would be in no way committed to responsibilities by Sir William.

Inclosure 4 in No. 3.

Telegram from the Colonial Secretary, Sydney, to the Acting Agent-General, London.

If

SECRETARY OF STATE desires that principal Colonies be represented by Delegates before Commission in London on Colonial Defences. You are requested to act for us. copies of Reports on defences not in office of Agent-General apply to see them at Colonial Office, and, under the guidance of your own discretion, it will be best to communicate unreservedly with Agents of other Colonies. Cannot give specific instructions except that, in considering any general Australian scheme or proposal, you will cautiously protect the interests of New South Wales. You will telegraph for instructions, as questions of importance may arise.

Copies of all Reports will be dispatched to you to-day.