19

A.—2

This appointment would promise to he a favourable measure. As the accredited Minister of China I cannot but draw your Lordship's attention to these matters, which, in my judgment, ought to be attended to. I beg your Lordship to favour me with a reply at your earliest convenience. I have, &c., The Right Hon, the Earl of Derby, &c. &c. Kuo Sung-Tao.

Enclosure 2 in No. 23. (Copy.—Draft.) Sir, — Foreign Office, March, 1878. I have had under my consideration your letter of the 2nd January, relative to the question of the appointment by the Emperor of China of Consuls to reside in various parts of the Queen's dominions, and I have now the honor to make certain observations thereupon. You state that according to international law each country is permitted to appoint Consuls to protect the interests of its nationals residing in other countries, and to assist in the settlement of disputes between them and the natives of those countries; but I would remind you that in the present instance the question is not one of internationallaw, because the relations of China with the rest of the world are not founded on the comity of nations, but are the result of peculiar and exceptional treaty stipulations. China, unlike Great Britain and the other Treaty Powers, has not thrown open her country to foreigners and to foreign commerce, and she can hardly, therefore, appeal to the example of European nations in applying for the concession now sought. With reference to that portion of your letter in which you say that "in the treaties which China has exchanged there is no mention made of the establishment of Consulates, nor is there any either made of the appointment of Resident Ministers," I have to point out to you that, while special provision is made by Articles 11. and VI. of the Treaty of 1858 between Great Britain and China for the appointment of a Chinese diplomatic representative at this Court, no stipulation is contained therein for the appointment of Chinese Consuls. Nevertheless, Her Majesty's Government, in consenting to the appointment of a Chinese Consul at Singapore, have shown a disposition to meet the wishes of the Imperial Government so far as they can properly do so, having regard to all the considerations involved; but I think it right to impress upon you that, whether at Singapore or elsewhere in Her Majesty's dominions, the fact of a large Chinese population being resident there will in no way entitle a Chinese Consul to other or larger powers than are conceded to the Consul of any other nationality.

No. 24 Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach to the Oppicer Administering the Government of New Zealand. (Circular.) gTR,— Downing Street, 3rd May, 1878. Circumstances have recently occurred in one of the colonies, which show that it is desirable to define more precisely than has been done by my predecessor's circular despatch of the 20th of July, 1875, the extent to which Her Majesty's ships are subject to local quarantine regulations. Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that, so far as relates to communication with the shore and with the shipping in colonial waters, Her Majesty's ships should be subject to local quarantine regulations in the same manner as merchant ships, but that local authorities should not in any way interfere with the internal management of Her Majesty's ships, or with their freedom to proceed to sea whenever the officer in command may deem such course requisite. I have therefore to request that your Government will issue instructions in the above sense to the quarantine authorities in the colony under your Government. I have, &c, M. E. HICKS BEACH. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.