1180 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [parTV 
observes that ‘ it is only on an abstract theory of the superior 
advantages of a free-trade policy, that the Secretary of State 
objects to a proposal which seems to sanction protection, 
under the name of reciprocity. These are views,” he goes on 
to state, * which can find no acceptance with Colonial Legis- 
latures, under a system of Constitutional Government.” It 
is obvious that a prolonged controversy on a subject on which 
the opinions entertained on either side are, unfortunately, 
so entirely at variance, would not tend to promote the 
principles of free trade, opposition to which would become 
identified in the minds of the Colonists with the assertion of 
their rights of self-government, and that it could scarcely 
tail to impair those relations of cordial and intimate friend- 
ship, which both the Imperial and the Colonial Governments 
are equally desirous to maintain. 
But although for these reasons Her Majesty’s Government 
might not feel justified in refusing to allow the Colonists to 
adopt the policy which they think best for their own interests, 
they desire to point out that, in order to meet the views of 
the Colonial Governments as expressed in the papers now 
before me, it would be necessary not only to repeal so much 
of the Australian Colonies Government Act, 13 & 14 Vict. 
c. 59, as prevents the imposition of differential duties, but 
to exempt the Colonies in question from the operation of 
any future commercial treaties which may be concluded by 
this country, containing stipulations against such duties, 
leaving them at liberty, subject to the obligations of existing 
treaties, to make such arrangements as they may think fit, 
for reciprocity with each other, or with foreign nations ; and 
before so serious a step is taken, they would ask the Colonists 
oravely to consider the probable effects of a measure which 
might tend materially to affect the relations of the Colonies 
bo this country and to the rest of the Empire. In the mean- 
time they have thought it right not to proceed in this matter 
until the Australasian Governments concerned have had an 
opportunity of communicating any further observationswhich 
they may desire to make in explanation of their views, 
The response to the intimation of the views of the Imperial 
Government was satisfactory : Tasmania repeated the re- 
quest for legislation, and expressly pointed out that it only 
asked for powers as to inter-colonial duties, and Victoria 
concurred in this view, as did Queensland. New Zealand! 
' Parl. Pap., C. 576, pp. 57 seq.