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diminishing, it appears desirable to consider the position of Her Majesty's Government and of the Colonial Governments in regard to the proposals of the Convention. I have, &c. Col. Sec—A.L., 16/6/84. Derby.

No. 5. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 2nd August, 1884. We consider Gladstone's proposed submission Federation Enabling Bill premature, until our Legislature considers Convention's resolutions, which it cannot do until present land legislation is disposed of. Federation without New South Wales not truly Australian, and this colony claims fullest freedom in deciding whether to sanction or decline Convention's proposals.

No. 6. The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales, to the Premier, Victoria. (Telegram.) Sydney, Bth August, 1884. I consider that undue haste has been used in London to procure the Enabling Bill, and thus I deemed it necessary yesterday to send to our Agent-General the following telegram : " We consider Gladstone's proposed submission Federation Enabling Bill premature until our Legislature considers Convention's resolutions, which it cannot do until present land legislation is disposed of. Federation without New South Wales not truly Australian, and this colony claims the fullest freedom in deciding whether to sanction or decline the Convention's proposals." I have from the first told you that we could not imperil our most important question of land legislation by risking the discussion of the Federal Council Bill. However inconvenient delay in your opinion may be, Ido not think your object would be gained by acting without New South Wales. Tire Land Bill passed the third reading this morning, sixty-five to thirty. I hope its final settlement may not be much delayed, after which we will give Parliament the opportunity of discussing the Convention's resolutions.

No. 7. The Premier, Victoria, to the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 9th August, 1884. I have received your telegram, and fail entirely to see what object was to be gained by it. The passing of an Enabling Act could not in the slightest degree affect the fullest freedom of the New South Wales Legislature in deciding whether to sanction or decline the Convention's proposals. The Bill would neither compel New South Wales to come in nor to stand out. Your statement that Federation without New South Wales would not be truly Australian seems to imply that a Federal Council cannot or should not be formed unless Now South Wales agree; but the Bill which was passed by the Convention, and to which we all assented, clearly contemplates the possibility that unanimity might not result, and expressly sets forth that the Council may be established if four of the colonies agree. No one desires unanimity more than I do, and I would yield almost anything —everything, in fact, but Federation itself—to see New South Wales going heartily with the rest of the colonies. The action which you characterize as undue haste was intended solely to prevent undue delay arising from political complications at Home, and was not intended in the slightest degree to show disrespect to New South Wales or an appearance of indifference about her co-operation.

No. 8. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, 11th August, 1884. Delivered message to Secretary of State. No Enabling Federation Bill will be introduced this session.

No. 9. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — 5, Westminster Chambers, Westminster, S.W., 29th August, 1884. I beg leave to forward for your further information a copy of a letter received by me from the Colonial Office, and a copy of my reply thereto, on the subject of the consideration by the New South Wales Legislature of the question of Federation. I may point out that the telegram referred to in Mr. Meade's letter was a copy of yours of the 7th instant commencing, "We consider Gladstone's proposed," &c, and that the newspapers containing the Prime Minister's replies, referred to in Mr. Meade's letter, to Mr. McCarthy and Sir Stafford Northcote, were sent to you by the mail of the 15th instant. I have, &c, Saul Samuel.

Enclosures. Mr. R. H. Meade to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Office, Downing Street, 15th August, 1884. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, enclosing a telegram from the Government of New South Wales respecting the proposed Imperial Bill to enable the Australian Colonies to confederate for certain purposes.