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THE CONEEBENCE.

No. 22. Copy of Eesolutions arrived at by Chinese Conference. The resolutions arrived at by Conference, and which have been embodied in a draft Bill, are as follows : 1. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the welfare of the people of Australasia. 2. That this Conference is of opinion that the necessary restrictions can best be secured through the diplomatic action of the Imperial Government and by uniform Australasian legislation. 3. That this Conference resolves to consider a joint representation to the Imperial Government for the purpose of obtaining the desired diplomatic action. 4. That this Conference is of opinion that the desired Australasian legislation should contain the following provisions : Firstly, that it shall apply to all Chinese with specified description. Secondly, that the restriction should be by limitation of the number of Chinese which any vessel may bring into any Australasian port to one passenger to every 500 tons of the ship's burden. Thirdly, that the passage of Chinese from one colony to another without consent of the colony which they enter be made a misdemeanour. Carrington, Sydney.

No. 23. Copy of Cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of New South Wales. Her Majeßty's Government recognise spirit in which Chinese immigration question has been discussed by Conference, and will be prepared to consider resolutions in all their bearings without delay. Desirable I should have as soon as possible all provisions of proposed Bill. Knutsford.

No. 24. Proceedings of the Conference on the Chinese Question (held in Sydney in June, 1888), together with the Minutes of Proceedings and Papers laid before the Conference. MINUTES OP PROCEEDINGS. At the Executive Council Chamber, Sydney, 12th June, 1888. The following gentlemen, representing the undermentioned colonies, were present:—New South Wales: The Hon. Sir Henry Parkes, G.G.M.G., M.P.; the Hon. John Fitzgerald Burns, M.P. Victoria : The Hon. Duncan Gillies, M.P. ; the Hon. Alfred Deakin, M.P. South Australia: The Hon. Thomas Playford, M.P. ; the Hon Charles Cameron Kingston, Q.C., M.P. Queensland: The Hon. John Murtagh Macrossan, M.P. Western Australia: The Hon. Sir Malcolm Fraser, K.C.M.G., M.L.C. Tasmania : The Hon. Phillip Oakley Fysh, M.L.C. On the motion of the Hon. Thomas Playford, seconded by the Hon. Duncan Gillies, the Hon. Sir Henry Parkes, G.C.M.G., was appointed President. On the motion of the Hon. Duncan Gillies, seconded by the Hon. P. 0. Fysh, Mr. Alex. C. Budge was appointed Secretary. The commissions of the representatives were laid upon the table. The. Conference then proceeded to consider the question of admitting representatives of the Press, when, after deliberation, it was not considered expedient to do so. The following petitions were laid before the Conference, and read: (1) From Quong Tart, (2) from Chinese merchants, (3) from E. Kretsohing. The Conference unanimously resolved that the President and the Hon. J. F. Burns be a Committee to direct what papers should be printed. The Hon. Charles C. Kingston explained the absence of the Hon. Eichard Oliver, who is appointed to represent New Zealand. The Hon. Thomas Playford then laid before the Conference a telegram from the Secretary of State to His Excellency Sir W. C. F. Eobinson, the Governor of South Australia, which was read. The Hon. Thomas Playford gave notice of the following resolutions : "1. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the welfare of the people of Australasia. 2. That this Conference is further of opinion that the necessary restriction can best be secured through the diplomatic action of the Mother-country, and by uniform Australasian legislation. 3. That this Conference resolves to consider a joint representation to the Imperial Government for the purpose of obtaining the desired action. 4. That this Conference resolves to consider a draft Bill as the basis of the legislation referred to. 5. That a Committee, to consist of ,be appointed to prepare the form of representation, and draft Bill. 6. That the Committee to prepare the draft Bill be instructed as follows: (1) That this Bill shall apply to all Chinese ; (2) that the restriction should be by way of poll-tax and by limitation of the number of Chinese which any vessel may bring into an Australasian port; (3) that the poll-tax be £30 per head, and the limitation one Chinese to every 200 tons; (4) that the influx of Chinese from one