15

A.—4

with respect thereto. We have decided to inform the Agent-General that in our opinion the Bill in its present shape will not be adopted by this colony, but that, if certain alterations are made, there might be a better chance of its becoming acceptable—although that question can only be decided by Parliament, which is not now in session—and that without New South Wales and New Zealand it cannot be truly an Australasian Federal Council. The details of those alterations appear in the accompanying copy of the telegram sent to the Agent-General last night. The effect of them is that the concurrence of the Legislatures of all the colonies is necessary instead of two or more, as appears in the Bill, and that the 31st clause be retained as a safeguard for any colony whose views may be overruled by the Council. I will be obliged if your Excellency will send a telegram to the Secretary of State stating that your Government suggests certain alterations in the Bill with the hope that it may make the way easier for obtaining this colony's concurrence. The details have been sent to the Agent-General. I have, &c, Alex. Stuart.

No. 33. His Excellency the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Telegram.) Sydney, 16th July, 1885. My Government suggests, through Agent-General, certain alterations in the Federal Council Bill, in hope that it may facilitate the concurrence of this colony. Question here can only be decided by Parliament. Bill in present shape will not be adopted by this colony.

No. 34. The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales, to the Premier, Victoria. (Telegram.) Sydney, 16th July, 1885. Telegraphed to Samuel yesterday my opinion that Federal Council Bill will not be accepted by this colony if thirty-first clause be left out; also if subsection (i) of clause fifteen is governed by two Legislatures instead of all. I cannot say that this colony will accept it even then, but I would be willing again to submit it to Parliament for consideration; but in present form, and without clause thirty-one, such submission would bo useless ; and without Now South Wales and New Zealand the Council, whatever it would be, would not be truly Federal Council of Australasia. I have just received a telegram from Agent-General that consideration of Bill in Committee has been postponed until Monday.

No. 35. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 16th July, 1885. Federal Council Bill distasteful to this colony in present shape. If following amendments be made there is more chance of this colony coming in. I cannot guarantee its joining even then; but it is worth the chance, for without this colony and New Zealand it cannot be truly a Federal Council of Australasia. In fifth clause, line thirteen, after word " each," insert "or such enlarged number as the Council may from time to time determine." Clause fifteen, subsection (i), line two, omit " any two or more," and insert " the." Clause sixteen, line one, omit the words " any two or more of;" also, in line twenty, omit "relating to those colonies or their relations with one another," and insert " which such Legislatures are empowered to refer under clause fifteen." Clause twenty-nine, line fifteen, after word "interest," insert " which have been referred to it by the Legislatures of all the colonies." Clause thirty-one must be retained ; we prefer it to that suggested in Dillon Bell's letter 2nd June. Eemember our Parliament alone can give its assent; my present object is to make a possible opening for that assent. See Secretary for Colonies at once ; represent strongly these views, and that without them I do not think this colony will join ; explain that to-morrow official telegram will reach him to this effect through Governor.

No. 36. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, 16th July, 1885. Federal Bill: Do you intend amendment clause five apply to all the colonies, or only the Crown colonies ?

No. 37. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 17th July, 1885. To Constitutional colonies chiefly, the anomaly being great that Fiji and New Guinea when made Crown colony should together have equal voting-power with this colony. It is also considered that total members of Council too few to decide important questions referred.

No. 38. The Premier, Victoria, to the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 17th July, 1885. Yesterday morning I received telegram from Agent-General as follows: " Sydney telegraphs Samuel urging postponing Bill, proposing large alteration, yet not consenting federate. Suggest