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4

P.S. —I should add that on the 15th February last His Excellency the Governor informed Lord Knutsford of the satisfaction of this Government that Her Majesty's Government is prepared to< adopt the suggestion made from here. The Hon. the Premier, Victoria.

Sub-enclosure No. 7. The Premier of New South Wales to the Premier of New Zealand. (Telegram.) 28th May, 1892. This Government concurs in proposed alteration in Eoyal Instruction re prerogative of mercy. I regret delay in informing you of decision, which was caused by absence of Minister of Justice. Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. F. B. Suttob, Colonial Secretary.

No. 5. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 6th June, 1892. In reply to your Lordship's Despatch " General," of the 2nd February last, drawing attention to your Circular Despatch of the 12th January, 1891,. and requesting to be furnished with the expression of the views of the Government on the proposed issue of exequatur to Consular officers appointed by the Chinese Government, I have the honour to enclose copy of a memorandum by the Prime Minister to Lord Onslow, and of a memorandum by Lord Onslow thereon ; and a memorandum by the Prime Minister to myself, after the receipt of your Lordship's despatch now under reply. 2. I have to observe that the suggestion made by Lord Onslow to Ministers, that inquiries should be made in Australia as to what action the several colonial Governments proposed to take, was not acted upon. I have, &c, J. PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford.

A.-2A, 1892, No. 7. -I A.-2, 1891, Soss. 11., No. 10,

Enclosure No. 1. Memorandum for His Excellency. Premier's Office, Wellington, 22nd May, 1891. Ministers present their respectful compliments to His Excellency, and, after giving careful consideration to the despatch of the 12th January last, from the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, respecting the appointment of Chinese Consuls in the colony, think that, owing to the strong feeling existing in the minds of the colonists against the immigration of people of the Chinese .race into New Zealand, it would be inexpedient to grant permission for the establishment of a Chinese Consulate in the colony. With regard to the Chinese already in the colony, they have power to naturalise themselves, and become British subjects; while those who do not desire to do so have the protection of the law, and cannot be injured in their persons or property with impunity. Ministers, for these reasons, respectfully submit that, while they do not desire to embarrass, the relations of the Imperial Government with foreign Powers, assent should not be given to the proposal so far at least as concerns this colony. J. Ballance.

Enclosure No. 2. The Hon. the Premier. I have read the above memorandum. The chief objection appears to lie in a belief that the establishment of Consuls and consular offices would lead to further immigration, and would, notwithstanding restrictive legislation, tend to increase the numbers of Chinese in New Zealand. Ministers have not stated how, in their opinion, this would be brought about. I have often felt that a great hardship is inflicted on Chinese as compared with other foreigners who have consular representatives, but are not subject to the violence and maltreatment to which the Chinese so often are. The Chinese have no one to defend them, other than their fellow-subjects, if any chance to be so well off as to be able to help them. I am not aware how far it may be possible through the exequatur to place any restriction on consular appointments made by the Chinese Government; but if it were possible to insist on European nationality of Chinese Consuls, in the same way as most of the foreign Powers are now represented by Englishmen as Consuls here, a measure of fairness would be dealt to the Chinese. In any case, I suggest that it may be advisable before I reply to this despatch to make inquiries in Australia, where the feeling against the Chinese is even stronger than here, as to what action the several Colonial Governments propose to take. Onslow.