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Parliament meets for despatch of business on the 23rd June, before which time Lord Glasgow will no doubt have arrived here ; much interest is taken here in the safe arrival of himself and Lady Glasgow and their family, and a hearty welcome will undoubtedly be given to them. I hi vp ( v OJAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford.

No. 4. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 6th June, 1892. Adverting to Lord Onslow's Despatch No. 3/92 of the 15th February last, acknowledging your Lordship's despatch of the 12th December last, and being relative to the exercise in the Australasian Colonies of the Queen's Prerogation of Pardon, I have now the honour to forward, for your Lordship's information, a copy of correspondence on the subject between the Premier of this colony and the Premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Your Lordship will observe that unanimous approval of the proposed alteration in the Eoyal Instructions is expressed on behalf of the colonies named. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford.

A.-l, 1892. No. 27.

A.-2, 1892 No. 33.

Enclosure. Memobandum fob His Excellency. Befebbing to previous correspondence relative to the prerogative of mercy in capital cases, and particularly to Lord Knutsford's despatch of the 12th December, 1891, the Premier has now the honour to submit the correspondence on the subject -which has passed between this Government and the Government of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, from which it will be seen that those Governments cordially approve of the proposed alteration in the Eoyal Instructions. Perhaps His Excellency will be good enough to forward the correspondence for the information of the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Premier's Office, Wellington, 31st May, 1892. J. Ballance.

Sub-enclosure No. 1. The Pbemiee of New Zealand to the Premiers of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Austealia. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th February, 1892. In a despatch from the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State, dated 12th December, 1891, received by His Excellency the Governor, is enclosed copy of a despatch addressed to the Governors of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia, on the subject of the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under the Eoyal Instructions, in which it appears that Her Majesty's Government is prepared, should it be thought desirable, to submit to Her Majesty the question of the substitution for the corresponding clause in the present Instructions to Governors, of a clause similar to that contained in the Canadian Eoyal Instructions. Lord Knutsford having intimated that it is desirable to secure uniformity of action upon this important question, I trust you will be able to convey to His Lordship a similar expression of satisfaction to that expressed by the South Australian Government, and which is felt by this Government, that the Eoyal Instructions maybe amended by an instruction that, in exercising the prerogative of mercy in capital cases, Governors are to act upon the advice of their responsible Ministers. I have, &c, J. Ballance.

Sub-enclosure No. 2. The Pbemiee of Tasmania to the Premier of New Zealand. ■Sib, — Premier's Office, Hobart, sth March, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo on the subject of the contemplated amendment of the Eoyal Instructions to Governors of the Australian Colonies in regard to the prerogative of mercy. This Government cordially approves of the proposed alteration in the Instructions as being most desirable for securing uniformity of practice with respect to so important a question, and also as more fully recognizing the principles of responsible government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, New Zealand. P. 0. Ftsh.