A.—2a

3

3. The employment, however, of the Crown Agents by the Governments of colonies which are under responsible government, and which in their relations with the Crown Agents are not under the control of the Secretary of State, places those officers in an anomalotxs position, and is liable to cause misconceptions as to their powers and responsibilities. Her Majesty's Government are therefore desirous that the connection between the Crown Agents and the Governments of those colonies should be terminated as soon as other arrangements can conveniently be made. 4. Upon the withdrawal of the Cape business, New Zealand, which does not employ the Crown Agents for the transaction of general business, but only in connection with its loans, will be the only remaining colony under responsible government which has recourse to their services for that purpose; and, while I have no desire to interfere with the arrangements under which the Crown Agents are charged with the payment of interest on loans already issued by them, or with the redemption of those loans, or their conversion into inscribed stock, I shall be glad to learn that your Ministers are able without difficulty to make other provision for the transaction of all the business connected with any future New Zealand loans. I have to request that you will communicate this despatch to your Ministers. I have, &c, . . KIMBERLEY. Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 4. (No. 33—1881.) Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honor to return to His Excellency the Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies respecting the employment of the Crown Agents in connection with the negotiation of colonial loans. The despatch has been considered by the Government; and the Premier begs respectfully to inform His Excellency that, as regards any future New Zealand loans, arrangements not involving the employment of the Crown Agents will be made. Wellington, 25th July, 1881. JOHN HALL.

No. 5. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon. (No. 31.) Sir,— Downing Street, 15th July, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 22, of the 16th May last, and to inform you that Her Majesty will not he advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the Act of the Legislature of New Zealand No. 38 of 1880, entitled " An Act to amend and consolidate the Law relating to the Native Land" [Court?], a transcript of which accompanied the despatch of the Officer Administering the Government No. 59, of the 10th September last. I have, &c, KIMBERLEY. Governor the Hon. Sir A. H. Gordon, G.C.M.G., &c.

Authority : G-eokge Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—1881.