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DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF

2. It will, I think, be generally agreed that nothing can be better than the tone and substance of this Memorandum; with which, I need scarcely add, I entirely concur. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 32. Memorandum by Mr. Eox. Ministers have read the Circular Despatch of the Eight Hon. Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the Bth of September, 1869, on the subject of the Colonial Conference proposed to be held in London in February next. The attention of the Colonial Government had already been called to the subject by the promoters of the Conference. However desirous of aiding in any movement which might have for its object the political and social union and mutual support of the British Colonies, Ministers do not concur in the idea which appears to have animated the promoters of this Conference, that the time has arrived to prepare the way for national independence and absolute political separation on the part of the Colonies from the Imperial Government. The Government of New Zealand values as strongly as any colony the inestimable advantages conferred upon it by the Parliamentary Constitution which substantially gives, and was intended to give, to the Colony the fullest power of administering its internal affairs. But it is equally conscious of the advantages of connection with the parent country, and desirous of maintaining it. It cannot, therefore, at present be a party to any action which may have for its object the assertion of a position different from that assigned to the Colony by the Constitution Act, or which might tend to weaken the ties between the parent State, and its offspring. Any such result they would look upon as a great calamity. Ministers have, therefore, read with satisfaction Lord Granville's Circular, which appears to them to have been composed in a spirit friendly to the Colonies, and consistent with the proper relations of the Home and Colonial Governments, and they have thought it well to abstain from giving to the Commissioners, who are about to proceed to England, any instructions to place themselves in communication with the Colonial Conference, or to represent in it the Government of New Zealand. William Eox.

No. 33. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 158.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 15th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 109, of the 7th October ultimo, enclosing a Dormant Commission appointing Sir George Alfred Arney, Knight, the Chief Justice of New Zealand, or the Senior Judge for the time being, to be the Administrator of the Government of this Colony in the absence of the Governor. I will carry out your Lordship's instructions with regard to the custody of this document. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 31. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 159.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — 20th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 13th instant, of your Lordship's Despatch No. 115, of the 7th October ultimo, informing me that Her Majesty's Government decline to sanction the action taken by Major-General Sir Trev«r Chute in deferring, at the request of the New Zealand Parliament, the departure of the 2-18 th Eegiment from this Colony. Your Lordship's telegram, of the 29th September, reached me only at the same time with this Despatch, having been delayed for a month under the circumstances mentioned in the annexed letter from the Governor of Ceylon, which, also arrived here on the 13th instant. 2. With regard to the remarks made in several of the early paragraphs of the Despatch now under acknowledgment, I beg permission to observe that my telegram of the 7th August ultimo was sent by the advice of the Colonial Ministers;