The Earl of Elgin to Governor Sir W. MacGregor.
Referring to your telegram of the 15th September, I am sending full reply by mail. I would like, in the meantime, to observe, first, that Lord Salisbury’s speech referred to drew clear distinction between internal affairs of colony and matters of international interest, and insisted strongly on right of Imperial Government to intervene in matters coming within latter catagory; secondly, I have never admitted, and can not admit, that “foreign fishing-vessels act, 1906,” comes within former category; thirdly, like my predecessor, I have never approved policy embodied in act of 1905, nor have I ever given any indication that I should be prepared to advise His Majesty in council to bring into operation amended act of 1906.