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Sub-enclosure No. 3. The Premier of Western Australia to the Premier of New Zealand. Sir,— Premier's Office, Perth, 10th March, 1892. In reply to your letter of the 15th February, with reference to the question of the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under the Eoyal Instructions by the Australasian Governors, I beg to inform you that this Government has expressed its view to Lord Knutford that a clause similar to that contained in the Canadian Eoyal Instructions should be substituted for the corresponding clause in the present Instructions to Governors of the Australasian Colonies. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand. John Forrest.

Sub-enclosure No. 4. The Premier of Queensland to the Premier of New Zealand. Sir,— Chief Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 12th March, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, in which, referring to 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, you express your hope that the views of this Government may be favourable to the proposal. I have pleasure in being able to state that I have informed His Excellency Sir Henry Norman that this Government would regard the substitution suggested with satisfaction. I have, &c, The Hon. J. Ballance, Wellington, New Zealand. S. W. Griffith.

Sub-enclosure No. 5. The Premier of Victoria to the Premier of New Zealand. (No. 1137.) Sir, — Premier's Department, Melbourne, 25th March, 1892. Your letter of the 15th ultimo, respecting the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under the Eoyal Instructions, was replied to by my telegram of the 2nd instant, as follows—viz. : •" Melbourne, 2nd March, 1892.—Entirely agree with your letter of the 15th instant respecting Eoyal Instructions. May I ask whether you have addressed the other Australian Governments in the same sense ?" I duly received your telegram of the same day, informing me that the other Australian Governments had been similarly addressed, except South Australia, which had already expressed concurrence. I now have the honour to enclose herewith, for your information, an opinion by the Hon. the Attorney-General, Mr. Gavan Duffy, on the subject. The circular which Mr. Duffy suggests is, of course, unnecessary in view of that which has already been issued by yourself. Having regard, however, to the desirability of an identical answer to the despatch, as suggested by Mr. Duffy, I shall be glad if you will inform me at your convenience to what extent the Colonies are in accord as to the reply to be sent to the despatch. I await this information before furnishing His Excellency the Governor with the reply of this Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Wm. Shiels.

[Copy.] Crown Law Offices, Melbourne, 22nd February, 1892. I would advise that the Premier communicate confidentially with the Premiers of the other Australasian Colonies, with a view to an identical answer being given to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if possible. 2. I am of opinion that the proposed alteration in the Instructions would in reality merely amount to a declaration of the constitutional principles of, and the existing practice in, the selfgoverning Australasian Colonies. 3. As this declaration would define the Governor's position, and bring home to Ministers the responsibility which it is their duty to accept, I think that it would be a matter of convenience that it should be made. J. G. D.

Sub-enclosure No. 6. The Premier of New Zealand to the' Premier of Victoria. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 13th April, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 1137, of the 25th ultimo, on the subject of the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under the Eoyal Instructions, and in reply to inform you that in reply to my letters I learn that Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania cordially approve of the proposed alteration in the Eoyal Instructions. Western Australia informs me that it has already signified to Lord Knutsford its wish for the change. It only remains, therefore, for New South Wales to state its views on the question, which, I presume, will be in accord with the other Australasian Colonies. I have, &c, J. Ballance, Premier.