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1909. NEW ZEALAND

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

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No. of Series Date. Subject. Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 27 Feb., 1908.. 28 „ „ .. 28 11 Mar., " .. 2 April, „ 10 „ „ .. 11 „ „ •• 11 „ „ •• 14 „ „ .. 16 „ „ .. 15 May, „ .. 18 „' „ .. 22 „ „ .. 27 „ „ .. 29 „ „ .. 5 June, ,, 17 „ „ .. 19 „ „ .. 20 „ „ .. 26 „ „ .. 2 July, „ . . 10 „ „ .. 3 Sept., „ .. 2 Oct., „ .. 16 ,, ,, .. 22 „ „ .. 23 17 Nov., ',', .. 23 „ „ .. 1 Dec, „ .. 4 „ „ .. 9 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 22 „ 22 „ „ .. 22 „ „ .. 22 „ ,. .. 23 „ „ .. 24 „ „ .. 24 „ „ .. 31 „ „ .. 1 Jan., 1909.. 4 „ „ •• 5 „ 5 „ „ .. 15 „ „ .. 20 „ 22 „ 28 „ „ .. 3 Feb., „ .. 5 „ „ .. 11 „ „ .. 26 „ „ .. 17 Mar., „ .. Maori petition for disallowance of Maori Land Acts Good Conduct Medals for Royal Native Reserve and Colonial Naval Volunteers Appointment of Major H. F. Head as Director of Ordnance and Commandant Attestation of documents to be used in the Dominion of New Zealand Restrictions on British ships not engaged on coastal trade of New Zealand Penny postage .. .. .. .. .. .. Members of Colonial forces to be temporarily attached to Imperial forces and vice versa Dominion officers to be sent to Staff College at Camberley Whale fishing at the Chatham Islands by Norwegians Earl of Crewe appointed Secretary of State for Colonial Department Chinese petition in opposition to " Chinese Immigrants Act, 1907 " Alteration of design of badge in the Governor's flag Necessity for a lighthouse near the Auckland Islands Use of term " Imperial " in designation of companies Training ship for New Zealand .. .. Engagement of foreign vessels in trade between United States and Hawaii Certain islands in Pacific to be under jurisdiction of the Dominion Engagement of foreign vessels in trade between United States and Philippine Islands " Chinese Immigrants and Amendment Act, 1907," assented to .. Association of King and Crown Prince of Portugal Restriction on British ships not engaged in coastal trade of New Zealand .. Mr. C. H. F. Rolleston appointed H.M. Trade Commissioner in New Zealand Restrictions on British ships not engaged in coastal trade of New Zealand Authentication of documents executed in England and elsewhere out of the Dominion United States does not accept penny postage with New Zealand Treatment of commercial travellers' samples entering New Zealand Importation of fowls from New Zealand prohibited in Samoa Medical attendance and aid to Native planters in Rarotonga Prospects of oil being discovered in New Zealand Instructions to Registrars of Shipping Emigration of persons guilty of offences against the law of Great Britain Refund of Customs duty in goods reshipped Declaratory Judgments Act, 1908, left to operation Meikle Acquittal Act, 1908, left to operation Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1908, left to operation .. Old-age Pensions Act Amendment Act, 1908, left to operation New Zealand Society of Accountants Act, 1908, left to operation Increased contribution to Imperial navy Consolidated Statutes Enactment Act, 1908, left to operation Acts of 1908, left to operation Defence Amendment Act, 1908, left to operation Part I, Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, to come into operation on 1st October, 1909 Acts of 1908 left to operation .. .. .. Maori Land Laws Amendment Act, 1908, left to operation Second Ballot Act, 1908, left to operation Naval Subsidy Act, 1908, left to operation Appropriation Act, 1904, left to operation Immigration restriction Amendment Act, 1908, left to operation , Earthquake in Italy Imperial Act to amend Judicial Committee of Privy Council Court of Appeal Visit of Sir Charles Lucas, of Colonial Department, to New Zealand Workers' Compensation Act, 1908, left to operation Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, assented to .. J. McGowan to be Honourable 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 11 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 10 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 23 23

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No. 1. No. 29. My Lord, , ' Downing Street, 27th February, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 71 of the sth of September last, forwarding a petition to His Majesty the King from certain natives of New Zealand praying His Majesty to disallow two Maori Land Acts passed by the New Zealand Legislature, and of your telegram of the 14th instant on the subject. 2. The petition was duly laid before His Majesty but, in the absence of any reasons or particulars in support of the Petitioners' prayer, I have been unable to tender any advice to His Majesty'on the subject. I have, etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

A.-1, 1908, No. 14.

No. 2. Miscellaneous. My Lord, Downing Street, 28th February, 1908 I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship for the information of your Government, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty relative to the proposed institution of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals for the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and also for the Colonial Naval Volunteer or Reserve Forces. I have, etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Sib, Admiralty, 19th February, 1908. With reference to your letter of the 31st August last No. 30533/07, and subsequent correspondence, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that steps are now being taken to prepare a design of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals for the Royal Navarßeserve and Royal Naval Volunteer or Reserve Forces with a view to obtaining His Majesty's approval and the subsequent sanction of an Order in Council. . It is intended that the issue of these Medals should be governed by practically the same regulations as those concerning the Army Volunteers, the cost of the medals for the Colonial Naval Volunteer or Reserve forces falling upon Colonial Funds. A further communication will be made to you as to the cost of any medals which may be earned in consequence of service under the Australasian Agreement. The detailed Regulations which it is proposed to adopt will be formulated in due course and communicated to you, but meanwhile it may perhaps be considered desirable that the Colonies which have been pressing for the establishment of the medal to know how far the matter has progressed. I am etc., C. I. Thomas. The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

No. 3. No. 31. My Lord, Downing Street, 28th February, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, with reference to my despatch No. 107 of the 18th November, 1907 the paper noted

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in the subjoined schedule on the subject of the selection of Major H. P. Head as Director of Ordnance and Commandant of the Permanent Force of New Zealand. I have, etc., ELGIN.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sir, Wai: Office, London S.W. 18th Feby. 1908. With reference to your letter No. 39908/1907 of the 15th November 1907, I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that they have selected Major H. F. Head, Royal Garrison Artillery for the post of Director of Ordnance and Commandant of the Permanent Force of New Zealand. As regards paragraph 3 of your letter quoted above, the terms of the appointment are as follows : Salary £450 per annum with house allowance of £50. Period —Three years, with possible extension to five years by mutual agreement, at the end of the first period. Passages for himself and family to and from New Zealand. Major Head will be directed to place himself in communication with the High Commissioner for New Zealand and will be seconded and cease to draw pay from Army Funds from the date of his embarkation to take up his duties. I have etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. W. D. Ward.

No. 4. No. 37. My Lord, Downing Street, 11th March, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, the papers noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of the attestation of documents to be used in New Zealand. I have etc., ELGIN.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosures. Sib, Foreign Office, February 22nd, 1908. I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to transmit herewith, to be laid before the Earl of Elgin the accompanying copy of a despatch which has been received from His Majesty's Consul General at New York relative to the law regulating the attestation of documents to be used in the Dominion of New Zealand. 2. I am to state that Sir Edward Grey would be glad to be informed what is the law of New Zealand on the subject, and whether the Acts 54 and 55 Vict., relating to the administration of Oaths, etc., have any force in the Dominion. I am etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. W. Langley.

Date. Description.' 1908. 18th Feby. . . From War Office.

Date. Date. Description. 1908. 22 February .. 6 March From Foreign Office. 5? ?5 ??

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Sib, New York, 4th February, 1908. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter which was handed to me by Miss Anna Walsh, of the Little Sisters of the Poor, written by a Solicitor in Auckland, New Zealand, stating that a document witnessed by the Acting Vice Consul was not in accordance with the- requirements of the laws of New Zealand, together with a copy of my reply. The contention of Mr. Mahoney appears to be quite incorrect, and as it might possibly lead to trouble in the future I have thought it advisable to bring it to the knowledge of the Department. I have etc., Sir Edward Grey, Bart, C. W. Bennett, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Consul General. Miss Anna Walsh, e/o The Little Sisters of the Poor, Patterson N.J. You and ors to Manning. Dear Madam, The conveyance came duly to hand. Unfortunately however your execution was witnessed by the " Acting Vice Consul " whereas our law requires the attestation of either a Consul, Acting Consul or Vice Consul, but there is no mention in the Act of Acting Vice Consul. It is therefore necessary to have a Deed of Confirmation signed by you and lam now enclosing same for your signature. Please act on my previous instructions as quickly as possible and show this letter to the Consul and see that the official who attests your signature is either a Consul General, Consul, Acting Consul or Vice Consul, but not Acting Vice Consul and that the Consular Seal is attached. I would .also ask you to return the deed either direct to me or through the Good Mother at Auckland and thereby save time as there is now a regular, monthly mail via 'Frisco and I have had to give personal undertaking to the Purchaser's Solicitor to provide the Deed of Confirmation with as little delay as possible to induce him to settle the purchase with me without waiting until I had written and heard from you. Yours faithfully, Edmond Mahoney. Sir, British Consulate General, New York, 4th Feby. 1908. Miss Anna Walsh called here to-day and executed the documents which you returned as not being legally completed according to the laws of New Zealand. I would draw your attention, however, to the Act 54 and 55 Vie. Chap. 50, entitled an Act to amend " The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 1889 " Sec. 2 which reads as follows :— "In section 6of ' The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 1889 ' after the words ' Consular Agent' shall be inserted the words ' Acting Consul General, Acting Vice Consul and Acting Consular Agent. , " Yours faithfully, (sgd) C. W. Bennett, Edmond Mahoney Esq., Solicitor, Auckland, New Zealand. Consul General. Sir,— Downing Street, 6th March, 1908. In reply to your letter (No. 5263) of the 22nd of February, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to request that you will lay before Secretary Sir E. Grey the enclosed copies of two reports from the Government of New Zealand on the subject of the attestation of documents for use in that Dominion, from which it will be seen that no provision is made for the acceptance of an attestation by an acting Vice-Consul. 2. Lord Elgin is advised that the Imperial Act 54-55 Vict. Cap. 50 is not in force in New Zealand. I am etc., (Sgd.) C. P. Lucas. The Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office.

No. 5. No. 54. My Lokd, Downing Street, 2nd April, 1908. With reference to the correspondence on the subject of Merchant Shipping legislation in Australia and New Zealand, recently presented to Parliament (Cd. 3891) I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom communicating a Resolution passed at the Annual Meeting of the Chamber to the effect that in the opinion of the Chamber legislation in the British Dominions affecting British ships not registered in nor engaged in the coastal trade of the Dominion should not impose upon suchf'ships any restrictions beyond those imposed by the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts.

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2. His Majesty's Government concur in the views expressed by the Chamber and trust your Ministers will bear them in mind in any Merchant Shipping legislation which may be deemed desirable. They will, however, be glad to give full consideration to any amendments in the Imperial Acts which may be suggested from time to time by your Government. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Et. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, 5 Whittington Avenue, Leadenhall Street, E.C., 23rd March, 1908. Australian and other Colonial Legislation. My Lord, I am directed by the Executive Council of this Chamber to forward to your Lordship the subjoined copy of a resolution upon the above subject which was unanimously agreed to at the recent Annual Meeting of this Chamber and to request for it your Lordship's favourable consideration. I am etc., The Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin, K.C. W. H. Cooke, Secretary. His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies. Resolution. " That, in the opinion of this Chamber, legislation in Australia and other Colonies of the Empire affecting British ships owned in the United Kingdom not engaged in the coastal trade of the Colony should not impose upon such ships any restrictions beyond those imposed upon them by the British Merchant Shipping Acts."

No. 6. No. 58. My Lord, Downing Street, 10th April, 1908. With reference to my Circular despatch of the 23rd of November, 1906, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that all parts of the Empire have now decided to adopt the increased unit of weight under the recent Convention of Rome for letter postage, with the exception of the Commonwealth of Australia and the several South African Governments. These Governments will, however, accept as fully prepaid at Id. the ounce all letters received from other parts of the Empire. 2. I take this opportunity of, informing you that the Bechuanaland Protectorate has decided to adopt the Imperial Penny Postage system from the Ist instant. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 7. No. 59. My Lord, Downing Street, 11th April, 1908. With reference to your despatch No. 12 of 14th Feby., 1907, on the subject of the attaching of individual members of the Imperial Yeomanry to Colonial Mounted Forces and vice versa, I have the honour to request Your Lordship to inform your Ministers that on further consideration the Army Council consider it desirable to extend the original proposal and to make it possible for members of all arms of any Colonial Force to be temporarily attached as individuals to the Territorial Force and even to His Majesty's regular forces, and also, for any member of the Territorial Force to do his annual training with a Colonial Force whenever he may happen to be for the time being resident in a Colony. 2. In my despatch General of the 12th of November, 1906 it was stated that it would not be necessary for purposes of discipline, to bring men of the Colonial Mounted Forces under the Army Act by enlisting them into the Imperial Yeomanry. But, though enlistment is not necessary, the Army Council consider it very important that any individuals attached to corps in the manner proposed should, while so attached, be subject to the same law and regulations as that corps itself; and

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it is proposed to effect this, in the case of members of Colonial forces attached to the auxiliary forces, by an amendment of section 176 of the Army Act which shall provide " that all Non-commissioned Officers and men belonging to a force raised in India or a Colony when they are being trained and exercised in the United Kingdom with any portion of the Auxiliary Forces to which they may for the time being be attached for the purposes of training " shall be subject to military law. It is further intended to make a parallel amendment to section 175 to make similar provision in regard to officers who may be individually attached to the Territorial Force. 3. I am to add that it is also considered advisable to take this opportunity of providing for any cases in which members of the Colonial Forces, whether officers or men may be serving in a similar manner with units of His Majesty's regular forces, and it is proposed to amend still further sections 175 and 176 of the Army Act accordingly. 4. His Majesty's Government would be glad to be assured of the concurrence of your Government in the proposed alterations in these sections of the Army Act, or to have any remarks which they may have to offer in regard to them. It is intended merely to provide that where individuals of Colonial Forces have actually been attached to Imperial Troops for training whether by the issue of temporary commissions (in the case of officers) or otherwise—they shall be, without question, subject for the time being to the law which governs those troops. Corresponding steps will no doubt have to be taken by your Government to provide for the discipline of individual members of the Territorial Forces when attached to Colonial troops but such steps will of course be taken by means of a local Act. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Et. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 8. No. 60. My Lord, Downing Street, 11th April, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, with reference to the 3rd resolution of the Colonial Conference, copy of a Memorandum drawn up by the War Office, stating the conditions of entry to and the nature of the course of study at the Staff College at Camberley. ■ 2. Being convinced of the great importance of forming an Imperial General Staff, the Army Council trust that your Ministers will, as far as possible, arrange for sending each year one or more duly qualified officers for training at the College. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Kt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G. K.C.V.O.

No. 9. ' No. 61. My Lord, Downing Street, 14th April, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, with reference to my telegram of the 10th instant, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of whale fishing at the Chatham Islands. I have etc., ELGIN.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Description. 1908. From the Norwegian Charge d'Affaires to the Foreign Office. 30th March

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Enclosure. Sir, London, 30th March, 1908. Owing to an inquiry from a Norwegian Whaling Coy., I have the honour by order of my Government to ask you to kindly inform me whether foreign subjects are entitled to carry on whale fishing or to land killed whales at the Chatham Islands to the East of New Zealand, or whether it is necessary to apply for any special license or authorization in order to be enabled to carry on the said business there. I have etc., J. Irgbn, Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., etc. Charge d'Affaires.

No. 10. Circular. Sir, Downing Street, 16th April, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that Mis Majesty has been pleased this day to entrust to my care, as one of the Principal Secretaries of State the Seals of the Colonial Department. I have etc., CREWB. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 11. No. 72. My Lord, Downing Street, 15th May, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 12 a.-i, i 90 8; of the 17th of March transmitting a petition signed by a large number of Chinese No residents in New Zealand in opposition to the " Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Act, 1907 " which you reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure. 2. In reply I have to request you to inform the petitioners that I did not fail to lay their petition before His Majesty and that by His command I have given their prayer my most careful consideration, but that I have not been able to advise His Majesty to withhold His assent from the Bill, inasmuch as the question of the immigration of aliens into the Dominion is one which must be determined according to the will of the Parliament and people of New Zealand. 3. You should add that His Majesty's Government have every confidence that the Government and Parliament of New Zealand will afford all just relief to Chinese residents who are domiciled in New Zealand and who may have occasion to pay temporary visits abroad. 4. Steps are accordingly being taken to signify His Majesty's assent to the Bill by Order-in-Council. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket. K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 12. Miscellaneous. My Lord, Downing Street, 18th May, 1908. With reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 7 of the sth January, I A.-1,1908, have the honour to inform you that there is no objection to the substitution of a No ' 32 " wreath of fern leaves for the wreath of laurel leaves on the Governor's flag, as proposed by your Government. 2. The necessary amendment will be made in the Admiralty Flag Book. I ha\e etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

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No. 13. " No. 80. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd May, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Board of Trade on the subject of the desirability of the erection of a lighthouse near the Auckland Islands. : ■'' 2. I shall be glad to learn in due course whether your Government are disposed to 1 [take any action in this matter. 3. I have addressed a similar despatch to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. I have the honour to be, etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. v Board of Trade (Harbour Department), Sir, 7 Whitehall Gardens, London S.W. 18th May, 1908. I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Report of an Enquiry held in New Zealand into the circumstances attending the loss of the British barque " Dundonald " which was wrecked at Disappointment Island, one of the Auckland Group on the 6th March, 1907 ; and I am to suggest for the consideration of the Secretary of State that the Governments of the Australian Commonwealth and the Dominion of New Zealand should be asked to give consideration to the recommendation contained in the Annex to the report respecting the desirability of establishing a lighthouse and fog signal in that locality. In so doing I am to point out that according to the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown obtained in 1903, the effect of which has already been communicated to the Secretary of State, the General Lighthouse Fund, which is the only fund out of which the Board of Trade are able to meet demands in respect of Lighthouses etc., is not available for the establishment of a lighthouse and fog signal on an island belonging to New Zealand. I have etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. W. P. Blomfield.

No. 14. No. 86. My Lord, Downing Street, 27th May, 1908. I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government have had under consideration the question of the use of the term " Imperial " as part of the designation of Companies registered in the United Kingdom and that they have decided to adopt the following rules on the matter. 2. The registration of a Company with a title including the word " Empire " or " Imperial" will only be allowed when there is no risk that it would mislead by conveying the impression of Government support or connection and when there is no reason to think that on other grounds permission should properly be withheld. Thus the title would not be allowed in connection with schemes for the acquisition or holding of land, or exploration of new countries or territories nor to companies formed for the purpose of supplying articles usually employed or dealt with by the State, or by some public authority, e.g. ships of war, armaments, explosives, telegraphs, etc., nor in the case of schemes to be carried out in India. On the other hand no objection would be raised to such titles as the " Imperial Tyre and Rubber Company" "Imperial Electric Supply Company" or "Imperial Auto-car Manufacturing Company," unless there was reason to suspect that the Company was not intended to carry on a legitimate business. 3. As it is desirable that uniformity in this matter should be observed through the Empire and as His Majesty's Government may be placed in an embarrassing situation by having to refuse the registration in this Kingdom of a Limited Liability Company under a title which has already been allowed in some other part of His Majesty's Dominions, I shall be glad if your Ministers will consider whether it will not be desirable—if it is not already the case —to lay down similar rules as regards the registration of Companies in the Dominion under your government. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

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No. 15. „ No. 91. My Lord, Downing Street, 29th May, 1908. With reference to my despatch No. 66 of the 30th of April, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have given careful consideration to the application made by your Government for a larger training ship for the training of boys and men for the Imperial Navy and Mercantile Marine, but that, with every desire to meet the wishes of the Dominion Government in the matter, they regret that there is at present no suitable vessel available which could be placed at the disposal of the Dominion for this purpose. 2. Their Lordships would however be glad, to advise and render all possible assistance in case your Government should decide to buy a vessel from the Mercantile Marine. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O. j

No. 16. No. 99. My Lord, Downing Street, sth June, 1908. With reference to the discussion of coastwise trade in the Pacific printed as pages 460/462 of the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Colonial Conference of 1907, I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington forwarding copy of a Bill to permit the engagement of foreign vessels in the trade between the United States and Hawaii. I have etc., CRBWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Commercial. Sir, Washington, 15th May, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a bill which has been favourably reported by the Committee on Commerce of the House, suspending the restriction of navigation between the ports of Hawaii and the United States to the American Flag. An effort will be made to pass this Bill through Congress if possible this session or failing that in the Autumn. I have etc., The Rt. Hon. Sir Edward Grey. Jα me* Bryoe.

No. 17. No. 109. My Lord, Downing Street, 17th June, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 10 of the 17th March transmitting copy of a letter from, the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands in which it is suggested that certain islands in the Western Pacific should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Dominion. 2. The High Commissioner for the Western Pacific is likely to be in England shortly, and I will take the opportunity of discussing with him the subject of your despatch ; but, as at present advised, I am inclined to think that it is hardly opportune to move in the matter at present unless and until, occasion may arise for some wider rearrangement of the British dependencies in the Western Pacific. I shall be glad, if you will inform Sir Joseph Ward accordingly adding that a due note will be made of his wishes. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O, 2—A, 2.

A.-l, 1908. No. 34.

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No. 18. . No. 112. My Lord, Downing Street, 19th June, 1908. With reference to my despatch No. 99 of the sth instant, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington reporting that a Bill has been passed to permit the engagement of foreign vessels in the trade between the United States and the Philippine Islands, together with copy of the Bill. 2. I have to add that the similar Bill, enclosed in my despatch above mentioned, respecting navigation between Hawaii and the United States has not yet been passed by the United States Congress. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Sir, British Embassy, Washington, 30th April, 1908. Congress have passed the Bill sent in No. 56 Commercial, of the 6th ultimo, of which Section 3 provided that the provisions of law restricting to vessels of the United States the transportation of passengers and.merchandise directly or indirectly from one port of the United States to another port of the United States shall not be applicable to foreign vessels engaging in trade between the Philippine Islands and the United States. The Act of 1906, which would have applied the coastwise laws definitely to shipping between the United States and the Philippines after April 11th is repealed. The Bill just passed has other provisions leaving to the Government of the Philippines control over the regulations of shipping, among the islands and otherwise leaving their trade unhampered. This measure has been passed with little public attention ; the only comments made thereon are to the effect that American shipping had failed to profit by the repeated respite allowed it in which to show some preparation to provide for the trade to be reserved to it, and that to so reserve the trade would have had the effect of excluding American goods from the Islands by high freight rates. I have etc., For the Ambassador, The Rt. Hon. Sir E. Grey, Bart. Eame Howard.

No. 19. No. 113. My Lord, Downing 20th June, 1908. With reference to my telegram of the 18th of June, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of Your Ministers, copies of an Order of His Majesty in Council assenting to the Reserved Bill of the Dominion Parliament entitled " An Act to amend the Chinese Immigrants Act, 1881 " copies of which accompanied your despatch No. 103 of the 14th of December 1907. 2. I shall be glad to be informed when the Act comes into force. 3. I observe that the authenticated copies of this Bill as forwarded in your despatch No. 103 was numbered 7.8,. and the authenticated copy of the other Reserved Bill enclosed in the same despatch was numbered 79, whereas in the plain copies of these Acts, printed by the Government Printer and in the Volume of Acts for 19.07 the numbering of the two Acts is reversed. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 20. No. 115. My Lord, Downing Street, 26th June, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 4th of February last, expressing the sympathy of the Government and people of New Zealand with the Royal Family of Portugal on the assassination of the late King and Crown Prince,

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2. I caused a copy of your telegram to be forwarded to the Secretary of State Jor Foreign Affairs for communication to the Portuguese Government and I have now to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon enclosing a translation of a note from the Portuguese Minister for Foreign viffairs conveying the thanks of the Portuguese Royal Family to the Government and people of New Zealand for their message of sympathy. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosures. Sir, Lisbon, June -Ith, 1908. I have the honour to forward translations of notes from the Minister for Foreign Affairs acknowledging the expressions of condolence on the death of His late Majesty King Carlos and of Mis Royal Highness the Prince Royal which were received from Australia, the Cape, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Trinidad, Mauritius, British Guiana, Rondebosch, Zanzibar, and the Manchester Town Council—see Foreign Offices despatches Treaty Nos 9 of February, 6, 10 of February 7, 11 of February 10, 13 of February 12, 16 of February 14, 17 of February 15, 22 of March 18, 24 of April 7, and No. 14 of February 12. I have etc., • The Rt. Hon. Sir Edward Grey Bart M.P. F. H. Villiebs.

Sir, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Lisbon, 29th May, 1908. I have the honour to receive the note which you addressed to me on the 20th February last and the copies of the telegrams addressed to His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies by the Governor General of Australia and by the Governors of the Cape of Good Hope, New Zealand, Newfoundland and Trinidad, expressing the condolences of these high. British Officials and of the Colonies and Dominions they represent, on the occasion of the abominable crime of which His Majesty King Carlos and His Royal Highness the Prince Royal Dom Luiz Filippe were victims, and conveying their sympathy for the Portuguese Royal Family and for the Portuguese people. These telegrams were laid by me before His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen together with the copy which you also sent me of the resolution passed by the Council of the City of Manchester in the same sense. I am commanded by their Majesties to express to you how sensible they are to these marks of sympathy and to ask that through your kind intervention the heartfelt acknowledgments of the Portuguese Royal Family may be transmitted to the above mentioned officials and corporation. In carrying out my mission I also wish to express to you the high appreciation felt by the Portuguese Government and the Portuguese people for these marks of sympathy for which they offer their most grateful thanks. I avail etc., The Hon. Sir Francis H. Villiers. Wenceslau de Lima.

No. 21. No. 117. My Lord, Downing Street, 2nd July, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you to be laid before your Ministers, with reference to my predecessor's despatch No. 54 of the 2nd of April, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of Colonial Legislation affecting British Shipping. ■ I have etc., CREWE.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Description. 1908. From the Association of the Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom. 7th June

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r : Enclosure. Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, Parliament Mansions, Victoria. Street, S.W. 17th June, 1908; Uniform Shipping Laws. My Lord, I am desired by the Executive Council to forward to your Lordship the following resolution which was unanimously adopted at the '-ist Annual Meeting of this Association, representing 111 Chambers of Comnierce. " That in tue opinion of this Association legislation in Australia and other Colonies of the Empire affecting British Ships owned in the United Kingdom should not, except as regards the coastal trade df the Colony, impose upon such ships any restrictions beyond those posed upon them by the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act." The Executive Council trust that your Lordship may be disposed to communicate with the , Australian and other Colonies the substance of this resolution in order to avoid as far as possible the imposition of any restrictions affecting British ships other than those which are contained in the Merchant Shipping Acts of this country. I have etc., Edward W. Fithian, The Rt. Hon. The Karl of Crewe K.C. Secretary. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 22. No. 123. My Lord, Downing Street, 10th July, 1908. With reference to my predecessor's despatch Miscellaneous of the 4th of September 1907, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that in accordance with the proposal made by Mr. Lloyd George at the Colonial Conference in 1907 in regard to the appointment of Commercial Agents in the selfgoverning Dominions Mr. C. H. F. Rolleston has been appointed His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in New Zealand and will proceed .shortly to the Dominion to take up his post. 2. I also enclose a list of the gentlemen who have been appointed as correspondents of the Commercial Intelligence Branch oi the Board of Trade in New Zealand. 3. I shall be glad if your Ministers will afford to the Commissioner any assistance in their power. 4. The Commissioner has been instructed to report immediately on matters of importance to British Commercial interests and to use his discretion as to telegraphing the provisions of any bills affecting them. In the case of Government measures he is instructed to ascertain in each case whether the information has been or will be telegraphed by the Governor and to secure that any information telegraphed by him shall be from a Government source. 5. In this connection I desire to express the hope that Your Lordship will, as in the past, continue to report fully by telegram or by despatch on all commercial matters which directly or indirectly involve political issues. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. List of Correspondents in New Zealand of the Commercial Intelligence Branch op His Majesty's Board of Trade. Wellington . . .. Mr S. Carroll, Secretary, Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Dunedin .. .. Mr Peter Barr, Secretary, Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. Auckland .. . . Mr A. J . Denniston, Secretary, Auckland Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the above the S cretary for Industries and Commerce Wellington also acts in an honorary capacity as Correspondent of the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade.

13

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rT No." 23.' No. 151. My Lord, Downing Street, 3rd September, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 48 of the 22nd of June on the subject of Merchant Shipping legislation. 2. I observe that your Ministers are of opinion that it would not be advisable for the New Zealand Government to promise the Imperial authorities that it would not initiate legislation imposing restrictions upon British ships not registered in nor engaged in the coastal trade beyond those imposed by the Imperial Merchant Shipping Acts, as such a promise might hamper future legislation especially as regards ships engaged in the inter-Colonial trade. 3. I presume, however, that your Ministers do not desire to depart from the 9th Resolution passed at the Merchant Shipping Conference of 1907 by which it was agreed that the vessels to which the conditions imposed by the law of Australia or New Zealand were applicable should be vessels registered in the Colony while trading therein, and vessels wherever registered while trading on the coast of the Colony. Sir Joseph Ward concurred in this resolution. It is clear that if the Parliament of New Zealand desires to impose restrictions on vessels engaged in Inter-Colonial trade, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia will have an equal right to impose such restrictions as may commend themselves to the Parliament on the same vessels, with the result of inevitable confusion of authority. I would therefore suggest that if it becomes necessary in the opinion of your Government to regulate further than is already done by Imperial legislation, vessels engaged in Inter-Colonial trade which are not registered in the Dominion and do not engage in its coasting trade, your Government should communicate their wishes to His Majesty's Government in order that the matter may be fully discussed in conjunction with the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and, if necessary, further Imperial legislation be passed. Such a procediire would, I think, be in accordance with the views expressed by your Prime Minister at the Imperial Shipping Conference. I have, etc., CEEWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

A.-l, 1909, No. 8.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 163. My Lord, Downing Street, 2nd October, 1908. With reference to Mr. Chamberlain's Circular despatch of the 15th of March, 1901, I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that applications continue to be received in this department from time to time for information with regard to the requirements of the law in the Dominions in respect of the authentication of signatures to documents (e.g. Powers of Attorney) executed in England and elsewhere out of the Dominions with a view to, making such documents receivable in the Law Courts of the Dominion or for official purposes.. 2. I shall therefore be glad' if you will be so good as to ascertain from your Ministers whether the information on this subject which was furnished in reply to Mr. Chamberlain's despatch under reference is still correct. If any alterations have been made in the law since the date of the reply to that despatch I shall be glad to receive a brief statement of the existing legislation on the subject. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 25. No. 172. My Lord, Downing Street, 16th October, 1908. With reference to your telegram of the Ist of September, I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Minister's the accompanying copy

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of correspondence with His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, from which it appears that the Government of the United States are not at the present moment prepared to accept a bilateral arrangement for postage at the rate of 2 cents between the United States and New Zealand. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosures. Telegram to Mr. Howard, Manchester, Massachusetts, No. 12 Treaty, dated August 31st, 1908. Penny Postage with United States. Please enquire of United States Government whether, in view of recent agreement with United Kingdom to take effect on October Ist, they would be prepared, if New Zealand Government so desire, to agree to a bilateral arrangement for penny postage between that Colony and United States in lieu of unilateral arrangement of November Ist, 1906. Sir, British Embassy, Manchester, Mass., September 30th, 1908. On receipt of your telegram No. 12 of this series Mr. Howard addressed a note to the State Department asking whether the United States Government would in view of the recent agreement with Great Britain be disposed to agree to a bilateral arrangement for postage at the rate of 2 cents (one penny) between this country and New Zealand. I have today received a reply to my communication from the Acting Secretary of State informing me that the Postmaster-General is unable at the present time to favourably consider this proposed reduction in the postage rate. I have etc., The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart. James Bryce.

No. 26. No. 175. My Lord, Downing Street, 22 Oct., 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 47 of the 21st of June on the subject of the treatment of Commercial Travellers' Samples, entering New Zealand. 2. The Board of Trade, to whom I communicated a copy of your despatch, are in some doubt whether the statement to the effect that the procedure referred to in Lord Elgin's despatch No. 51 of the 31st March is in keeping with the present practice in New Zealand, refers to the provisions for the mutual recognition of Customs marks and lists, or merely to the provisions for the refund of duty on reexportation, and they would be glad if you would be so good as to obtain from your Ministers definite information on this point. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 27. No. 177. My Lord, Downing Street, 23rd October, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers the papers noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of the prohibition of the importation of fowls from New Zealand into Samoa. I have etc., CREWE.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Description. }rd Oct. From H.M, Ambassador, Berlin Office. to Foreign

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Enclosures. Sir, Berlin, October 3rd, 1908. I have the honour to transmit, herewith, translation of a Decree of the Governor of Samoa of the 21st of July last, published in the Kolonialblatt of the Ist instant, prohibiting the importation of fowls from New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. I have etc., Sir Edward Grey, Bart,, M.P. Frank C. Lascelles. Translation of Order or the Governor of Samoa, regarding the Prohibition to import Fowls from New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, of July 2] at, 1908. In virtue of Section 15 of the Protectorate Law (Reichs-Gesetzbl, 1900 p. 813) and in connection with Section 5 of the decree of the Imperial Chancellor of September 27th 1903 (Kolonialblatt, p. 509) regarding the powers of the " Seemannsamt " and the Consulates, and the rights of the authorities in the Protectorates of Africa and the South Sea to issue orders, the following is hereby ordered : Section 1. The importation of fowls from-New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga is prohibited till further notice. Fowls arriving in July or August of this year from the above named countries, may, on the demand of the recipient be isolated by the Police Authorities. The recipient must bear the costs. Section 2. Contraventions will be punished as infraction of the law. Section 3. This order comes into force at the time of For the Imperial Governor. Apia, 21st July, 1908. Schultz.

No. 28. No. 192. My Lord, Downing Street, 17th November, 1908. My attention has been called to the questions of medical attendance and of aid to native planters in Raratonga to which reference is made at pp. 3, 7, 8, 11-13 of the Report on Cook and other Islands. (New Zealand Parliamentary Paper A.3.1908) 2. It would be of interest and guidance to me in dealing with other native territories to learn in due course what steps may be taken by your Government with regard to these questions, and I should be grateful to your Ministers for any information of the kind hereafter. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 29. New Zealand, No. 197. My Lord, Downing Street, 23rd November, 1908. With reference to my despatch No. 69 of the 6th of May I have the honour to transmit to you to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Admiralty on the subject of the prospects of oil being discovered in New Zealand. 2. I have to request that your Ministers will be so good as to furnish me with a report on the questions asked by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Str, Admiralty, 16th November, 1908. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State that their attention has been directed to the prospects of oil being discovered in New Zealand where it is understood the geological indications are favourable to the presence of Petroleum especially in the North Island of the Dominion and where oil-drilling has already been carried out with some measure of result. The Earl of Crewe is already aware from previous correspondence how deeply the Admiralty is interested in oil developments in British Colonies and My Lords are desirous of ascertaining whether, as in the case of the Island of Trinidad, a comprehensive survey of the oil bearing territory of North Island has been undertaken by the Geological Department of New Zealand, and whether records have been compiled of the drilling operations that have been carried out up to the present time.

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If such is the case My Lords would be glaci if they could be furnished with any particulars which may be available and which might prove useful to the Admiralty, as regards the progress of the oil industry in the Dominion. I am etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. (sgd) C. I. Thomas.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 200. My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist December, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, enclosing copies of a list which has been prepared in that Department, showing the alterations which have been made in the book of " Instructions to Registrars of Shipping " since it was issued in 1901. 2. I shall be glad if your Ministers will take steps to distribute the list to the Registrars of shipping in New Zealand. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Sib, Marine Department, 7 Whitehall Gardens, London S.W. 20th November, 1908. I am directed by the Board of Trade to forward to you the accompanying two hundred copies of a list which had been prepared in this Department showing the alterations which have been made in the book of " Instructions to Registrars of Shipping " since it was issued in 1901, and to suggest for the consideration of the Earl of Crewe that they might be transmitted to Registrars of Shipping in the Colonies for their information. It will be observed that some of the information contained in this list has already been communicated to the Registrars of Shipping abroad, and that certain of the alterations apply only to Registrars in the British Islands, but the Board consider that Registrars abroad will find it convenient to have a list showing all the alterations in a compact form. I have etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Waltkr J. Ho well.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 201. My Lord, Downing Street, 4th December, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a Circular letter which has been addressed, by the direction of the Home Secretary, to Recorders and Chairmen of Quarter Sessions and the various Benches of Magistrates throughout England calling attention to the undesirability of giving any public or official encouragement or assistance to the emigration of persons guilty of offences against the law of this country. 2. The Secretary of State has also communicated in the matter with the Judges of the King's Bench Division of the High Court. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord-Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure.

Sib, Home Office, Whitehall, S.W. 13th November, 1908. I am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that his attention has at times been called to cases in which persons convicted of offences in this country have been released without punishment or have received modified sentences upon condition of their emigrating to some part of His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas or upon an undertaking by their friends to assist them in so emigrating. The Secretary of State has recently had before him the case of an offender who was arrested for burglary and whose friends, on his appearance in Court, stated that they desired to send him to Australia. The charge was reduced to one of larceny, and the prisoner was bound over to come up for judgment when called on : and arrangements were made for his emigration. Shortly after landing in Australia this emigrant was convicted of larceny and false pretences ; the circumstances of his emigration were the subject of discussion in the Commonwealth House of Representatives, and a representation on the übject has been made by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth to the Home Secretary,

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The Secretary of State has on several other occasions received representations from various Colonial authorities, and particularly from the Government of Canada, to the effect that very strong objections are entertained in His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas to any public or official encouragement or assistance being given to the emigration of persons guilty of offences against the law in this country. Mr. Gladstone therefore desires to take this opportunity of bringing before you the views of the Colonial Governments and of saying that in his opinion no public official encouragement should be given contrary to these views to the emigration of persons guilty of offences. I am etc., C. E. Teoup.

No. 32. New Zealand, No. 203. My Lord, Downing Street, 9th December, 1908. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that the Board of Trade are desirous of obtaining information as to the practice of Colonial Customs Authorities in regard to the refund of Customs Duties paid on goods which do not enter into consumption in the country into which they are imported, but which for some reason are reshipped. 2. I shall, therefore, be glad if your Ministers will be so good as to furnish me with a memorandum as to the practice observed in New Zealand as regards the following points : — (1) What facilities are accorded to importers to examine a consignment of imported goods while they are under Customs control and before duty has been paid. (2) In the event of its being decided as the result of such examination to reexport the whole or a portion of a consignment, is Customs duty exacted on goods which are thus re-exported without leaving the control of the Customs Authorities. (3) In what circumstances is duty which has been paid refunded in respect of goods which have been cleared through the Customs and afterwards re-exported in consequence of the refusal of the consignee to accept delivery or for some other reason. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 33. No. 212. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His* Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with Act No. 220 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to enable the Supreme Court to give Declaratory Judgments or Orders," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November last. I have etc., CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-], 1909, No. 23.

No. 34. No. 213. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you thatfHis Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect[]to the Local and Personal Act No. 1 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to reverse the Conviction of John James Meikle on a Charge of Sheep-stealing," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. 3—A, 2.

A.-l, 1900. No. 23.

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No. 35. - No. 214. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 239 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1905," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd ultimo. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-l, 1909, No. 23.

No. 36. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 245 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Old-age Pensions Act, 1908," a transcript of which accompaniedjyour despatch No. 81, of the 3rd November. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-1, 100!), No. 23.

No. 37. No. 216. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 211 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to make Provision for the Registration of Accountants," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd November. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. No. 38.

A.-1, 100!), No. 2:s.

New Zealand, No. 217. My Lord, Downing Street, 23rd December, 1908. With reference to my telegram of the 2nd of October, I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Admiralty, on the subject of the payment of the increased contribution which your Government have been so good as to decide to make to the Imperial Navy. 2. I shall be glad to learn whether your Ministers concur in the mode of payment suggested by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

Enclosure. Stk, Admiralty, 16th December, 1908. I have laid before My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter No. 41274 of the 16th ultimo, forwarding copy of the New Zealand Naval Subsidy Act, 1908 in accordance with which the increased contribution of £100,000 will be paid annually for ten years commencing on the 12th May 1909 the first half-yearly instalment being payable on that date.

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My Lords are taking steps to make due provision for the same in the Estimates for L 909 10 but in the meantime I am to state with reference to section 6 of that Act, that it would be convenient that the instalments of the revised subsidy should be paid in London as heretofore, application being made by the Accountant General of the Navy to the High Commissioner for New Zealand on or about the dates referred to m the Act beginning on 12th May, 1909. I am etc., The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. C. I. THOMAS.

No. 39. No. 219. My Lord, Downing Street, 24th December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 4 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to enact certain Public General Statutes prepared by the Commissioners appointed under the Reprint of Statutes Act, 1895," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

) i . A.-1, 11)01), No. 23.

No. 40. No. 220. My Lord, Downing Street, 24th December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November :— [For enclosure, see New Zealand Gazette No. , page .]

A.-1, I i)0i), No. 2:!.

No.* 41. New Zealand.—No. 223. Mγ Lord, Downing Street, 31st December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 234 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled' "An Act to amend the Defence Act, 1908," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November. I have, &c, : CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-l, 1909j No. 23.

No. 42, New Zealand, No. 1. My Lord, Downing Street, Ist January, 1909. With reference to my predecessor's Circular despatch of the Bth February, 1907, I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that in virtue of the power vested in them by Section 5 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, the Board of Trade have fixed the Ist of October 1909, to be the appointed day for the purpose of Part 1 of that Act, on which date certain provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1904, relating to load line and life saving appliances will be applied to Foreign ships in the ports of the United Kingdom. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

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No. 43.

- No. 2. My Lord, Downing Street, 4th January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November :— [For enclosure, see New Zealand Gazette No. , page .]

No. 44. No. 4. My Lord, , Downing Street, sth January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 253 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Maori Land Laws," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November last. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-1, 1909, No. 23.

No. 45. No. 5.. My Lord, Downing Street, sth January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 226 of 1909 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Law relating to the Representation of the People in Parliament," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November last. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-1, 1909, No. 23.

No. 46. No. 10. My Lord, Downing Street, 15th January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that "His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to Act No. 225 of 1908 of the Parliament of the Dominion of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to make Provision for an Annual Grant from the Revenues of the Dominion of New Zealand towards the Maintenance of the Royal Navy," of which transcripts were enclosed in your despatch No 81, of the 3rd of November last. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1900, No. 23.

No. 47. No. 13. My Lord, Downing Street, 20th January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 258 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to appropriate and apply certain Sums of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Fund, and other Accounts to the Services of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and nine, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Present Session," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November, 1908. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-l, 1909, No. 23.

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No. 48. No. 15. ■ My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd January, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the Act No. 230 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend the Immigration Restriction Act, 1908," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of i November last. I have, &c, T CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-1, 1909. No. 23.

No. 49. New Zealand, No. 23. My Lord, Downing Street, 28th January, 1909. I have the honour to transmit to you for information of your Ministers, with reference to my despatch No. 224 of the 31st of December last, the papers noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of the sympathy of the Government and people of New Zealand with the people of Italy in connection with the recent earthquake. I have, &c, CREWE.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosures. Sir, Rome, llth'Jany., 1909. I have the honour to report that on receipt of your telegram No. 2 of the Ist instant, I duly conveyed to the Italian Government the message from the Governor of New Zealand, expressing the sympathy of the people and Government of that Colony with the people of Italy in the disastrous earthquake in Calabria and Sicily. I have the honour to enclose a translation of a* note which I have received from Signor Tittoni in reply stating that be communicated the message to the King of Italy and that His Majesty has requested that an expression of his thanks may be conveyed to the Governor of New Zealand. I have etc., The Right Honourable Sir E. Grey, Bart., M.P., &c, &c. Rennell Rodd. Sir, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 9th January, 1909. In answer to the note which .Your Excellency was so good as to address me dated the 2nd instant, I have the honour to inform you that I hastened to lay before His Majesty the King, my August Sovereign, the expressions of pain and sympathy towards Italians, which the Governor of New Zealand, in the name of the people and Government of that colony has expressed on the occasion of the terrible disaster in Calabria and Sicily. His Majesty the King to whom this evidence of human solidarity has been particularly acceptable, has charged me to bring to the knowledge of the Governor the expression of his gratitude. Whilst in the meanwhile, requesting Your Excellency to be so good as to convey these sentiments of His Majesty I have etc., His Excellency Sir R. Rodd, British Ambassador, Rome. (sd) Tittoni.

No. 50. New Zealand, No. 27. My Lord, Downing Street, 3rd February, 1909. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Act (8 Edward 7 Ch. 51) of the Imperial Parliament, entitled " An Act to amend the Law with respect to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal in England."

Date. Description. 1909. From H.M. Ambassador at Rome to the Foreign Office. 11th January

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2. I shall be glad if you will explain to your Ministers that the first section of this Act has been passed in order to carry out the suggestion made by the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the Colonial Conference of 1907 (see page 213 of Cd. 3523) in which the Lord Chancellor expressed his concurrence that upon the hearing of an appeal from the Supreme Court of any self-governing Dominion, it should be possible for a judge of the Court, from which the appeal is being brought, to attend as an assessor of the Judicial Committee on the hearing of the appeal. 3. Opportunity has been taken of the passing of this Act by Section 3 to include any justice of the High Court of Australia or of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland, among those persons who shall if Privy Councillors be eligible to be members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and to add the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony to the schedule to the Judicial Committee Amendment Act, 1895. 4. Provision has also been made by Section 4 of the Act for any Member of the Judicial Committee to resign his office as member by giving notice of his resignation in writing to the Lord President of the Council. 5. I trust that the effect of the Act will be to add to the efficiency of the conduct of business by the Judicial Committee of the Council. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 51. New Zealand, No. 27. My Lord, Downing Street, sth February, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that Sir Charles Lucas, head of the Dominions Department of this Office will, by my instructions, leave at an early date on a visit to Australia and New Zealand in accordance with the suggestion to which expression was more particularly given by the Prime Minister of Australia at the Conference of 1907 that opportunities should be created by periodical visits for members of the permanent staff of the Colonial Office to acquire personal knowledge of the circumstances and conditions of those Colonies with whose business they have to deal. 2. It is proposed that he shall take the Peninsular and Oriental steamer " Marmora " leaving London on the 26th oi this month and reaching Perth on the 30th of March, and that he shall visit Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Tasmania, and New Zealand, in the order named, but I am of course giving him some latitude as to his itinerary and am not strictly limiting him to time, though it is presumed that the tour may be completed in about six months in all 3. Sir C. Lucas will be accompanied by Mr. A. A. Pearson C.M.G. lately a member of the staff of this office. 4. I desire to commend these gentlemen to your good offices and to ask you to give Sir Charles Lucas every facility for fulfilling the objects of his tour and carrying out such instructions as I shall^give^him. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c, &c.

No. 52. No. 31. My Lord, Downing Street, 11th February, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise'his power of disallowance with respect to Act No. 248 of 1908, shortly entitledthe Workers Compensation Act, 1908, transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November.

A. 1, 1909, No. 23.

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2. I have, however, to request that you will invite the attention of your Ministers to my telegram of the 21st of November to which I have not yet received any reply. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Honourable Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

No. 53. New Zealand, No. 45. My Lord, Downing Street, 26th February, 1909. With reference to my despatch No. 3 of the sth January, and my telegram of the 23rd instant, I have the honour to transmit to you one sealed and six plain copies of an Order declaring the assent of His Majesty in Council to the Reserved Bill of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to consolidate certain enactments of the General Assembly relating to shipping and seamen." I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 54. Miscellaneous. My Lord, Downing Street, 17th March, 1909. In reply to your despatch No. 9 of the 26th of January, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the King has been pleased to approve of the Honourable James McGowan retaining the title of " Honourable " for life. 2. A notification to this effect will be published in the London Gazette. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

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