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cally promoting the object which the Imperial Government, the Australasian Colonies, and Canada have in common. 8. In my judgment, the Commission should be of a tripartite character, unless the Australasian Governments desire a larger representation than proposed —and no great objection would be offered to increasing the number of members. It is quite probable that, owing to the peculiar circumstances which obtain in the Australasian Colonies, all the Governments may not see their way to be directly represented on the Commission. It appears to me that if any three of the colonies agree in regard to the Commission the tacit assent of others may be assured. 9. In renewing the proposal to have a joint Commission constituted as above set forth, I feel that it is only carrying out the intentions of the colonies represented at the Conference last year as expressed in the resolution to which I have already alluded. We shall be glad to learn that your Government assents to the proposal, and is prepared to take early steps to be represented on the Commission. As correspondence by mail is exceedingly tedious, it will be satisfactory to be informed of your decision by telegraph. Should your Government, or any of the Governments concerned, prefer any other course of action than that proposed, I can only say that it will receive here the most respectful consideration. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier of New Zealand. Sandpobd Fleming.

Enclosure in No. 43. Mr Sandpoed Fleming to the Peemiee, Ottawa. Deae Sib,— Ottawa, 18th April, 1895. I feel it my duty to submit for your information copies of the following informal letters which have passed between Mr Hatch, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honolulu, and myself with respect to the matter of a landing-station for the trans-Pacific cable within the Hawaiian group of islands : — 1. Letter to Mr Hatch, of the 17th January, 1895, enclosing a copy of report to His Excellency the Governor-General on the mission to the Hawaiian Government in 1894 likewise pointing out that it would be to the common advantage to have the Canadian-Australian cable touching at some point within the Hawaiian Archipelago. 2. Letter to Mr. Hatch, of the 7th March, 1895, referring to proceedings at Washington during the last meeting of Congress, and the proposal to lay a cable from San Francisco to Japan, touching at Honolulu, pointing out that such a cable and the Canadian-Australian cable, if they formed a junction at Honolulu, would be helpful to each other, and would practically constitute an international cable system connecting North America with Asia and Australasia , further pointing out that nearly all the thirteen cables between Europe and the United States have mid-stations on British or Canadian territory, and that these cables have been worked from the commencement without any difficulty whatever, and further expressing the hope, in view of the general benefits to result, that, while prevented by treaty from leasing an island or granting special privileges, the Hawaiian Government might not feel debarred from allowing the cable from Vancouver to Australia to land at Honolulu and there form a connection with the proposed cable from San Francisco to Japan. 3. Letters from Mr Hatch, of the Ist April, 1895, stating, in reply, that it would be a matter of the greatest congratulation in the Hawaiian Eepublic if by international agreement Honolulu could be made a telegraphic centre, but, having submitted the matter to the Government of the United States, the Hawaiian Government could not withdraw from the position they had taken while the matter is under consideration at Washington. I desire to add to the information contained in these letters a few words of explanation. In suggesting that the cable might land at Honololu, and there connect with a cable from the United States to Asia, it was obvious to me that on commercial grounds it would be an advantageous arrangement, and, beyond its direct utility in accommodating shipping and commerce, a CanadianAustralian cable touching at Honololu would retain much of its value in a wider aspect, especially would this be the case to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand. The importance of an alternative line of communication from these colonies to England, touching only the territory of a friendly nation at a point entirely removed from the theatre of European complications, is perfectly self-evident. Moreover, in making the suggestion to form a connection at Honololu, I foresaw that the development of telegraphic traffic on the Pacific, as has been the case on the Atlantic, will soon require increased facilities, and the duplication of the Canadian-Australian cable will in a few years be demanded. It appeared to me inexpedient to lay two cables from British Columbia to the Southern Hemisphere side by side. Experience dictates that they should not be so laid, and that it is best to have two lines of cable separated by some considerable distance. It seemed tome advisable, therefore, to have in view eventually the laying of two cables, one from Vancouver to Queensland, via Honolulu, another from Vancouver to New Zealand, via Fanning Island and Fiji. It appears, however, from the position taken by the Hawaiian Government, that the laying of a cable on the former route must be abandoned, or at least deferred. The route by Fanning Island remains open. We can connect Canada with the whole of Australasia, by way of Fanning Island, at a moderate cost, and no good reason can be adduced why the Pacific cable should , not be at once laid on this route. I have unwavering faith in the advantages which will flow from the establishment of this important undertaking. lam perfectly satisfied that, after the first cable shall be stretched across the ocean, traffic will speedily develop to such extent as to demand the laying of a second cable. By that time it is only reasonable to expect that all obstacles to the laying of the second cable by way of the Hawaiian Group will be removed. Yours, &c, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Premier Sandfoed Fleming. 6—F 8.