EMPLOYMENT OE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

11

A.—No. 9.

extended to the whole population. It is hard to realize that the pounds, shillings, and pence question is so exigent that, for the sake of some possible pecuniary liability, it is thought necessary to alienate such a people. There was a time when Great Britain, although less wealthy than at present, thought little of the cost of her Colonies, and when she was proud to undertake future responsibility in connection with them. Then they were far from her ; now steam and telegraphy have practically brought them near to her. It is strange that the necessity of desertion should have grown up concurrently with all the conditions which make that desertion most opposed to the progress of science as it is to the traditions and the history of an Empire which has attained to greatness in large measure through the national enterprise and spirit the Colonies have developed. But it may be considered presumptuous in Colonial Ministries generally to criticise Imperial Policy ; so, in conclusion, they confine themselves to stating their conviction that the removal of the troops, in the face of the offer of the Colony to pay for a regiment, and all the surrounding circumstances which have been referred to, must leave in the minds of the Colonists, and by them, if this new policy be persisted in, be handed down to the future inhabitants of New Zealand, a rankling feeling of alienation from the Mother Country, which, in the plenitude of power, has shown so little care for their feelings or their just claims. Wellington, 28th March, 1870. W. Fox.

No. 4. The Hon. W. Gisboene to tho New Zealand Commissionebs. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 19th March, 1870. To avoid any misconception, Ministers desire to definitely instruct you not to act on the authority for raising Colonial troops at home. This refers to the £70,000 authority, but does not interfere with your negotiations for one Imperial regiment. The Hon. P. D. Bell and the Hon. Dr. Featherston, W. Gisboene. Care of J. Morrison, No. 3 Adelaide Place, King William Street, London.

No. 5. The New Zealand Commissioners to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Sic— London, 28th January, 1870. We have the honor to inform you that, at Lord Granville's desire, we w raited upon him yesterday, and had a long interview with his Lordship. Lord Granville expressed his great satisfaction at the course taken by the Assembly in sending Commissioners home, and his desire that we should feel ourselves to bo on terms of the most frank and unreserved intercourse with him. Indeed we had gone but a little way in the conversation, which his Lordship at once led to the main points of our mission, before it became clear we must decide whether what passed between us should not be entirely confidential, so far as any report by tho present mail was concerned. It was evident that in this interview we could only glance, on both sides, at the many points to be discussed ; while, if our first conversations were not to be made matter of official record, the one great advantage would be gained of an immediate and open expression of views, without argument or controversy. It was accordingly agreed that, on our parts, we should maintain silence on what passed, Lord Granville, on the other hand, merely informing the Government that he had received us, and meant to give us his confidence. And, his Lordship having asked us whether we would leave it to him to repeat at the Cabinet to-day the substance of what had taken place, instead of sending him a formal Minute last night, we were glad to adopt the former course. It is therefore not in our power to give you any account of this interview. As our discussions proceed, they will of course take a formal shape, —but the time and mode of doing this will be mutually agreed ; and you will probably consider that we have best helped the restoration of friendly intercourse with the Imperial Government, by avoiding, at the outset, any written or even recorded communications. We have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, I. E. Featheeston, Wellington, New Zealand. P. D. Bell.

No. 6. The New Zealand Commissioners to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sib,— London, 25th February, 1870. When the last mail left we had only been a few days in England, and had had no opportunity of forming an opinion as to the prospect of success or otherwise in the main object of our mission. The first interview we had with Earl Granville did not certainly justify us in entertaining sanguino hopes, notwithstanding the courteous and friendly reception he gave us, that tho decision of the Imperial Government about the troops would be changed. It is with no slight regret that we feel it our duty now to announce to you our conviction that Her Majesty's Government have absolutely made up their minds on the question, and that nothing wo can say has any chance of inducing them to reconsider their resolution. We need hardly assure you that we have endeavoured to carry out to the utmost the desire of the New Zealand Government that we should approach the Home authorities in a friendly and moderate spirit. In order to ensure this, we expressed at the outset to Lord Granville our disinclination to