7. His Majesty has hitherto been represented in this State by a succession of distinguished men, whose official and constitutional experience in other parts of the Empire, and whose freedom from local party associations, have been of the utmost value in the public life of the community, and it would be unwise to adopt a system which would preclude this State from having the benefit of the experience and the services of such men. 8. Experience has shown that although the cases in which the representative of His Majesty in this State is called upon to exercise a personal discretion are few in number, and of rare occurrence, it is of vital importance that when those occasions arise the discretion should be exercised by one who is quite free from any suspicion of local party associations. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to secure this end, if the representative of His Majesty is chosen from the residents of this State. 9. Feeling confident that we represent, in this matter, the views of a large majority of the people of this State, we desire to record our strong conviction that the proposed change in the system under which the representative of His Majesty the King in this State is now selected, would be contrary to the best interests of the Empire, and of the State of New South Wales. 10. We therefore desire respectfully to submit to His Majesty's Ministers that the proposed change should not be made. Members of the Legislative Council of the State of New South Wales. CHARLES W. Oakes. A. K. TRETHOWAN. T. D. P. HOLDEN. J. A. MURDOCH. T. WADDELL. G. F. EARP. Sydney, New South Wales, W. F. LATIMER. N. J. BUZACOTT. THOS. M. SHAKESPEARE. J. B. PEDEN. J. A. BROWNE. R. G. D. FITZGERALD. HUGH MCINTOSH. ALFRED MEEKS. J. H. CARRUTHERS Enclosure 2 in No. 8. MEMORANDUM FROM MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES TO HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTERS IN GREAT BRITAIN IN REFERENCE TO THE PROPOSAL THAT THE OFFICE OF STATE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE FILLED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF A LOCAL REsident. We, the undersigned, Members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of New South Wales, desire to submit the following memorandum for the consideration of His Majesty's Ministers: [1.-10. As in Enclosure 1.] No. 9. The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor of New South Wales. SIR, Downing Street, 18th December, 1925. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter* which I have received from Mr. T. R. Bavin, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, forwarding two copies of a memorandum signed by certain members of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, protesting against the proposed change in the present method of appointing Governors of the Australian States. 2. I shall be glad if Mr. Bavin may be informed that I have received his letter with the memoranda enclosed therewith. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. No. 10. The Governor of Tasmania to the Secretary of State for (Received 10.19 a.m., 16th October, 1925.) [Telegram.] 16TH OCTOBER. I am forwarding to-day Memorial+ protesting against any change in the existing system of appointing State Governor signed by all Members of the Legislative Council except three, and by all Members of the Opposition of the House of Assembly.-O'GRADY. No. 11. Memorandum signed by fourteen Members of the Legislative Council and thirteen Members of the House of Assembly of Tasmania. (Received 28th November, 1925.) [Forwarded by the Governor in a despatch dated 19th October. 1925, and acknowledged by a despatch to the Governor, dated 18th December, 1925.] Hobart, Tasmania, 28th September, 1925. The Right Honourable, SIR, We, the undersigned Members of the Parliament of the State of Tasmania, desire to submit the following memorandum for the consideration of His Majesty's Ministers: 1. We are informed that a memorial signed by the Premiers of the several State Labour Governments of Australia has been forwarded to His Majesty's Government in Great Britain urging that in future the offices of State Governors should be filled by the appointment of local residents. 2. We desire to record our strong protest against any change in the existing system. 3. So far as Tasmania is concerned, the last occasion on which this matter was discussed in the House of Assembly was on the 14th March, 1924, when a resolution was carried requesting His Majesty's Government to appoint a gentleman to the office of Governor, under existing conditions. 4. While the present Labour Government has recently been elected by a majority of two, the proposal to change the method of selecting Governors was not an issue before the electors in the campaign, and the present Government has no authority from the people of this State to express an opinion on this matter, and there is no evidence of any kind which justifies the supposition that a majority of the electors of this State desire a change in the existing system. 5. The unrestricted choice by His Majesty's Ministers, in the selection of His Majesty's representative in this State, maintains direct association between the people of this State and the Mother Country; and we feel that the proposed limitation of that freedom of choice would tend to diminish the strength of the bonds which hold the Empire together. 6. His Majesty has hitherto been represented in this State by a succession of distinguished men, whose official and constitutional experience in other parts of the Empire, and whose freedom from local party associations, have been of the utmost value in the public life of the community, and it would be unwise to adopt a system which would preclude this State from having the benefit of the experience and the services of such men. 7. Experience has shown that although the cases in which the representative of His Majesty in this State is called upon to exercise a personal discretion are few in number, and of rare occurrence, it is of vital importance that, when those occasions arise, the discretion should be exercised by one who is quite free from any suspicion of local party associations. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to secure this end, if the representative of His Majesty is chosen from the residents of this State. 8. The experience and knowledge of the conditions and requirements of Australia which have been gained by His Majesty's representatives when occupying the positions of State Governors, have, on the return of these gentlemen to Great Britain, been placed at the services of the State and have been of great value when matters relating to Australia have been brought under the consideration of the people of the United Kingdom. 9. We therefore desire respectfully to submit to His Majesty's Ministers that the proposed change should not be made. Members of Opposition Party, House of Assembly. There are 48 Members in the Tasmanian Parliament-18 in the Legislative Council and 30 in the House of Assembly. SIR, No. 12. The Governor of Tasmania to the Secretary of State for (Received 30th November, 1925.) [Acknowledged by despatch dated 18th December, 1925.] Government House, Hobart, Tasmania, 26th October, 1925. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a despatch which I have received from the Honourable the Premier concerning the Memorial which Members of both Houses of the Legislature presented to me, and which I forwarded to you by cable on the 16th instant.* I have, &c., JAMES O'GRADY, Governor. ENCLOSURE IN NO. 12. Premier's Office, Hobart, 22nd October, 1925. YOUR EXCELLENCY, Referring to the Memorial addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through you, by a number of Members of |