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opinion, grave objections to the publication of one of the despatches—viz., that numbered 79, and dated 20th September, 1872, in which, after relating the facts of the change of Ministry that had just taken place, Sir George Bowen comments upon the position of the Maori members in the House of Bepresentatives and upon certain measures with regard to the Maori race which he anticipates. Inasmuch as it would be difficult to omit one despatch of a similar series or one portion of that particular despatch, the Governor would be disposed to withdraw all those having reference to the change of Ministry, in the absence of any recommendation by Ministers. There are many despatches in which Sir George Bowen relates certain meetings with Maori chiefs and tribes, and several in which the officer lately administering the Government informs the Secretary of State of the late murder by a Maori in the Waikato district, and of the subsequent proceedings of the Government. The Governor would desire that the presentation of these to Parliament should depend upon the opinion of the Native Minister, or of the Ministry generally, as to the expediency of doing so, especially with reference to the second category. He would particularly be reluctant to publish statements of probable amnesties, the hope of which subsequent events may have weakened. There are also certain despatches relating to correspondence with the Secretary of State and with other colonial Governments upon postal contracts and telegraphic extension, the publication of which should depend upon the time at which Ministers intend to consult Parliament upon those subjects. Government House, 20th June, 1873. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministers have carefully considered His Excellency's confidential memorandum. It is difficult to understand the reason for incurring the expense of printing much of the correspondence to which His Excellency directs Ministers' attention ; but the late Governor was in the habit of instigating the publication of his despatches without reference to their possessing public importance. It may be open to question whether despatches should be made public covering intimations of changes of Government. Ministers believe the practice has been to make such despatches public, and His Excellency will recognise the delicacy they must feel in advising any change of practice, since the despatches under consideration concern not themselves only, but their predecessors. Two of the despatches relative to changes of Government are incomplete in their statements, and apparently intentionally so, and it might be held that by withholding their publication it was intended or desired to allow them to pass unchallenged. Ministers do not shrink from the responsibility of calling attention to the uncandid nature of the documents, and probably at some future time they will move His Excellency to direct the notice of the Secretary of State to the subject, In the meanwhile, as they do not understand His Excellency to require their advice as to whether these despatches should be published, they do not feel called upon to advise their publication. Should Parliament move for their production Ministers would probably advise compliance with the request; but in that case they would advise the omission of the paragraphs to which His Excellency considers there are " grave objections." A note could be made to the effect that the omitted portions had nothing to do with the context, and that their omission was considered expedient. Ministers would ask His Excellency, to save misconstruction, to allow them to confidentially explain to some of the leading members that the omissions were in no sense made in the party or political interests of the Government. Ministers-thank His Excellency for the consideration which prompts his referring to them the despatches concerning Native affairs. Such a course is most expedient, since it will prevent the publication of information which it is not desirable to publish, and it will leave Ministers at liberty to freely communicate with His Excellency on Native subjects without their having to fear an inevitable, and therefore possibly a premature and injurious, publication. The last class of despatches referred to by His Excellency it would be desirable to publish at once. It is the practice to prepare in anticipation of the session all the papers that it is supposed will be required during the meeting of Parliament: the resources of the printing office are generally overtaxed. Wellington, 21st June, 1873. Julius Vogel. The Governor has to acknowledge the memorandum of Ministers of the 21st instant, in reply to his memorandum of that date, and he is glad to be in so complete accord and understanding with them upon the subject to which it relates. Considering that several matters of past controversy may be reopened by some of the late Governor's despatches having reference to the change of Ministry which took place shortly before his arrival, he would prefer to withhold them unless they should be asked for by Parliament; but he will be prepared to act upon the advice of Ministers, should they recommend him to lay them before Parliament in reply to an address. He would be glad, in that case, that Ministers should explain, in the manner they deem most convenient, the omission of certain paragraphs having no reference to the matter in hand, and he would append a note to that effect as suggested by Ministers. He will be happy to inform the Secretary of State of any points, with the statement of which by Sir George Bowen, they are dissatisfied. He will at once revise the list of despatches marked for presentation according to the plan proposed, and will only add that he by no means desires to withhold, now or at any future time, from Parliament any despatches which may pass between the Secretary of State and the Governor which would contribute any information desired by Parliament or deemed expedient by Ministers to be communicated. 23rd June, 1873.