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of Victoria, but New Zealand has many interests in common with Fiji, and especially its proximity and friendship would be sure to promote a rapid increase in trade between the two countries. 11. The approaches already made to this colony showed the desire of the colonists of Fiji to come more closely into connection with New Zealand. The Government were anxious to respond to this desire, and saw in the common interests trade facilities would create the hope of closer future relations. 12. It need not be said that the Colonial Office and the Imperial Parliament do not share His Honour's view as to an exclusive treaty being inadmissible. " The Australian Colonies Duties Act, 1873," 36 Viet., cap. 22, recognized that two or more colonies might find it desirable to make special arrangements to which a " most favoured " colony clause might not apply. 13. I shall be very glad if His Honour will send delegates as he proposes. I have entered into the particulars above in the hope that the delegates will be gifted with powers to treat on a basis more enlarged than that your letter appears to indicate. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c, Fiji. Julius Vogel.
No. 15. Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to Eev. Shihley W. Bakeu. Sib,— Government Buildings, Wellington, 3rd May, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, marked private and confidential, and to express my thanks to you for the information given therein as to the manner in which the proposals from the New Zealand Government for a reciprocity treaty with Fiji were received by the Government of that colony. With regard to the concluding portion of your letter, it is only necessary for me to remind you of the understanding we came to, as detailed in my letter to you of the 11th February last, that it would only be desirable to proceed with the provisional arrangement we had discussed for a commercial treaty with Tonga if a treaty of the same kind was adopted by Fiji. As Fiji has not adopted the proposed treaty, matters will remain as they are in respect of Tonga at present; but I am hopeful that the time is not far distant when, with or without Fiji, we may be able to come to a commercial arrangement with you. I take this opportunity of thanking you for the help you gave to the delegates whom you accompanied to Fiji, and of expressing my sense of the consideration which you have shown throughout the negotiations. I have, &c, The Eev. Shirley W. Baker, Premier of Tonga, &c. Julius Vogel.
No. 16. The Eev. S. W. Bakee to the Hon. Sir J. Vogel. Sib, — Auckland, 17th May, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, No. 221/22, and to thank you for the same. I note your remark, " That, as Fiji has not adopted the proposed treaty, matters will remain as they are in respect of Tonga at present; but you are hopeful chat the time is not far distant when, with or without Fiji, you may be able to come to a commercial arrangement with us." I am also pleased to find that you approve of the course I pursued with reference to the action of the delegates on their mission to Fiji. I have, &c, Shieley W. Bakbb, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Colonial Treasurer. Premier of Tonga.
No. 17. Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to F. J. Moss, Esq., M.H.E., and W. Seed, Esq. Gentlemen, — Government Buildings, Wellington, sth May, 1886. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your joint report, dated the 21st ultimo, detailing the result of your mission to the Government of Fiji with the view of promoting commercial intercourse between that colony and New Zealand. In thanking you for the report which you have made, I am desirous of expressing my satisfaction that you were able to accomplish so much in the very short time at your disposal in Fiji, and also my appreciation of the judgment and ability with which you discharged the mission entrusted to you. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., M.H.R., and W. Seed, Esq. Julius Vogel.
[Approximate Cost of Pape r.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,400 copies), £G ss.]
Authority: George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB6
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