PAPERS RELATIVE TO

A.—No. 9

16

The Resolutions in reference to Intercolonial Tariffs, as agreed to iy the Delegates from New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria. The Delegates from the Governments of New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria, in Conference assembled, having had under their consideration Lord Kimberley's Circular Despatch of the 13th July, 1871, have unanimously adopted the following Eesolutions :— let. That the Australian Colonies claim to enter into arrangements with each other, through their respective Legislatures, so as to provide for the reciprocal admission of their respective products and manufactures, either duty free or on such terms as may be mutually agreed upon. _ 2nd. That no treaty entered into by the Imperial Government with any Foreign Power should in any way limit or impede the exercise of such right. 3rd. That Imperial interference with Intercolonial fiscal legislation should finally and absolutely 4th. That so much of any Act or Acts of the Imperial Parliament as may be considered to prohibit the full exercise of such right should be repealed. sth. That these resolutions, together with a Memorandum from each Government, or a joint Memorandum from such Governments as prefer to adopt that method, shall be transmitted to the Secretary of State, through the Governors of our Colonies respectively. Signed at Melbourne, this 27th day of September, a.d. 1871. James Maetin, 1 Attorney-General and Premier, Geo. W. Loed, , New South Waleß Colonial Treasurer, Joseph Dockee, . Postmaster-General, J J. M. Wilson, ~) Colonial Secretary and Premier, > Tasmania. James Dunn, M.E.C., ) John Haet, 1 Treasurer and Premier, | William Milne, }- South Australia. Chief Secretary, I W. Moegan, M.L.C., J C. Gatan Duity, 1 Chief Secretary and Premier, Geaham Beeet, }■ Victoria. Treasurer and Commissioner of | • Customs. J

No 9. The Hon. F. P. Baelee to the Hon. W. Gisboene. Colonial Secretary's OiSce, g IB _ Western Australia, Perth, 19th February, 1872. I have the honor the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of 20th December 1871 No 71, 3614, and, in reply, I am directed by His Excellency Governor "Weld to thank you for'your courtesy in forwarding to me a Memorandum by the Colonial Treasurer of_ New Zealand on the subject of Intercolonial Eeciprocity, and to state that no expression of opinion on this very important subject has been elicited in the Legislature of this Colony, and that he is not aware that any section of politicians in Western Australia believes that differential tariffs would conduce to the interests of free trade, or promote the general unity of the various communities of Her Majesty's subjects. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, New Zealand. Feed. P. Baelee.