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No. 43. The Colonial Secretary, Queensland, to the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. (Telegram.) Brisbane, 20th July, 1885. I hope you will see your way to withdraw your opposition to subsection (i) of clause fifteen. It may easily happen that many matters of common concern (say) to two neighbouring colonies, or to all the continental colonies, or to one colony and another separated by sea, will arise, over which the limited territorial jurisdiction of the separate colonies prevent them from effectually legislating, but as to which there could be no difference of opinion. If you remember, at the Convention this territorial limitation of authority was one of the main grounds for inserting the general provision of subsection (i). To insist on previous unanimity would certainly weaken the usefulness of the Council very much. As to section thirty-one, this colony has already expressed its willingness to withdraw opposition if it would have the effect of inducing New South Wales to join" the Council.

No. 44. The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales, to the Colonial Secretary, Queensland. (Telegram.) Sydney, 20th July, 1885. The feeling in this colony very strong against Federal Council dealing with subjects other than those specified, except when referred by all the colonies ; for, although their decision would only bo law in the colonies referred to, yet, as it would go forth as Federal Council law, it would carry a prestige which sooner or later would override the opinion of non-consulting colonies. The evils you conjure up would be slight in comparison with the non-acceptance of the Council by this colony; and so strong is the feeling here that I would not ask Parliament's assent to the Bill as it now stands.

No. 45. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 20th July, 1885. Service wires will consent thirty-first clause as first introduced: but I wish that clause as it now stands; also the other amendments I suggested; for without these, especially subsection (i), this colony will not accept the Bill.

No. 46. The Colonial Secretary, New South Wales, to the Premier, Victoria. (Telegram.) Sydney, 20th July, 1885. I have wired Samuel to-day as follows : " Service wires will consent thirty-first clause as first introduced : but I wish that clause as it now stands ; also the other amendments I suggested ; for without these, especially subsection (i), this colony will not accept the Bill."

No. 47. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, 20th July, 1885. Federal Bill postponed until Thursday. Secretary of State has asked Agents-General to meet him to-morrow. I will enforce your views. Have delivered your last message.

No. 48. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, 21st July, 1885. Interview with Secretary of State. Advocated your views. General result probably as follows: Bill will be passed in present shape, except that your amendment in section five will be inserted, and proviso at end clause thirty-one omitted.

No. 49. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 22nd July, 1885. Inform Secretary State that passing Bill in condition you describe shuts out New South Wales. We care comparatively little about fifth clause, but amendment in subsection (i) is indispensable. We prefer clause thirty-one with power to local Legislature to repeal, but would yield this if amendment in subsection (i) is made.

No. 50. The Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. (Telegram.) Sydney, 3rd August, 1885. Without alteration suggested in clause fifteen, no chance of our joining.

No. 51. The Agent-General to the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) London, sth August, 1885. Federal Bill passed Committee this morning. Twenty-ninth clause, formerly thirty-one, retained, except last proviso omitted. Very thin House, and scarcely any discussion. I delivered your message Colonel Stanley yesterday. ' 3—A. 4.