A.—s

1878. NEW ZEALAND. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. (PAPERS AS TO THE HOME GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPHING TO GOVERNORS OF COLONIES THE RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN CONGRESS.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. No. 1. Hon. the Premier to Eight Hon. the Earl of Beaconsfield. "Wellington, August 2. Lord Beaconsfield, London. _ £££3 Ot/cht not telegraphic information results Congress be sent Governors Colonies, enable Legislatures telegraph addresses ? George Grey.

No. 2. Eij Excellency the Goternor, to Hon. the Premies. Memorandum for Sir George Grey. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and begs to forward to him tho copy of a cypher telegram which he has received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and which he supposes must be the answer to some telegram sent by Sir George Grey to Lord Beaconsfield. Normanby. Government House, 7th August, 1878.

(Enclosure.) Copy of Telegram from Sir Michael Hicks Beach to His Excellency the Goternor. Inform Sir George Grey, in reply to telegram to Prime Minister, that Her Majesty's Government have been much gratified to receive from several colonies expressions of public satisfaction at the results of the Congress, from which it would appear that these conferences are generally known, and that there is therefore no necessity for an official announcement by telegraph, as suggested. London, sth August. M. Hicks Beach.

No. 3. Hon. the Premier to His Excellency the Goternor. Memorandum for His Excellency. Sir Georoe Grey presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby, and acknowledges the receipt of His Excellency's memorandum of this day's date, covering copy of a telegram from Sir Michael Hicks Beach, upon the subject of telegraphing to tho Governors of Colonies the results of the recent European Congress. 2. Sir George Grey transmits to tho Governor copy of tho telegram he forwarded to Lord Beaconsfield. 3. Sir George. Grey still thinks it would be better for Her Majesty's Government to communicate,, direct to the Governor, for the information of tho New Zealand Parliament, the results of tho Congress. He feels that he is doing his duty in pointing out that when a colony has for a long period of time constantly apprehended the serious consequences which might be entailed on it by a war which it had not brought about, and could by no efforts of its own prevent or influence—when, also, during all that time it was prepared cheerfully to submit to great sacrifices to aid the Empire in the anticipated war —it would be well if tho Home Government, sympathizing with the anxieties of its colony, relieved them by a telegraphic message to the Governor the moment peace was assured.