Minute by Ministers.

In general reply to this memorandum, it is sufficient to state—First, that the greater part of the arguments used by the Native Secretary apply to a draft Bill never introduced or even approved of by Ministers, to which the Native Secretary was quite unjustified in referring; secondly, that the Native Secretary concludes by recommending a plan substantially identical with, indeed copied in all its provisions from, the Bill introduced by Ministers and reserved for Her Majesty's assent, but destitute of any safeguard against the rashest actions on the part of the Executive. The points of real difference between the Ministers and the Native Secretary are discussed in memorandum of the former dated 29th September, 1858.—C.W.R.