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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, A-02

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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Presented to both House 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 28 Feb., 1903 12 Mar., „ 31 Mar., „ 9 April, „ 9 April, „ 1 May, 22 May, „ 27 May, „ 29 May, „ 12 June, „ 3 July, „ 7 Aug., „ 14 Aug., „ 22 Aug., „ 4 Sept., „ 10 Sept., „ 14 Sept., „ 9 Oct., „ 22 Oct., „ 14 Nov., „ 18 Nov., „ 25 Nov.? „ 28 Nov., „ 28 Nov., „ 2 Dec, „ 10 Dec, „ 11 Dec, „ 9 Jan., 1904 30 Jan., . 4 Feb., „ 4 Feb., „ 9 Feb., „ 16 Feb., „ 18 Feb., „ 16 Mar., „ Trophies of South African war Rates for Government telegrams : Pacifio-cable Gift of Takutea Island to His Majesty German South Polar expedition Application of " Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," to New Zealand Appointment of Colonels R. H. Davis, Stuart Newall, and A. W. Robin as C.B. .. Contribution of New Zealand towards defioit in working Pacific cable Industrial Property Convention, adherence of New Zealand to Call of Mahuta to Legislative Council His Majesty's medal for long-service and conclusion of the war Sons of naval and military officers in New Zealand admitted to the Osborne and Britannia Colleges at reduced rates Petition from Maoris for Mr. Seddon to be appointed Governor Hon. A. J. Cadman, C.M.G., made K.C.M.G. Contribution of New Zealand towards deficit in working Pacific cable Contribution of New Zealand towards deficit in workiag Pacific cable Opening of New Zealand Parliament New seal for the colony Hon. Alfred Lyttelton appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies Industrial Property Convention Export of tobacco and cigars from Fiji Ammunition taken to South Afrioa replaced Deficit in working Pacific cable Proposed export duty on kauri-gum Working of probation system in New Zealand " Naval Agreement Aot, 1903," alteration of limits of stations British manufacturers of glass bottles and New Zealand tariff German views of New Zealand preferential tariff German commercial relations with the British Empire Commissions as medical officers in Royal Navy to Australasians " Military Pensions Act, 1903," assented to " Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1903," assented to " Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1903," assented to .. Acts of 1903 left to their operation Regret at death of Honourable W. G. Walker, C.M.G. Finger-prints for identification of criminals 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 11 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 17

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No. 1

(No. 10.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th February, 1903. a.—i,i9o3. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 2), No. 3i. o f the 6th January, and, in reply, to acquaint you for the information of your Ministers that a War Office Committee, under the presidency of Lord Hardwicke, is considering the question of the distribution of trophies captured in the late war in South Africa, and that it is intended by that Department to place a due proportion of the number available at the disposal of this office for allocation to the colonies concerned. 2. In this event I may assure you that the claims of New Zealand will not be overlooked. I have, &c, (For the Secretary of State), ONSLOW. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 2. • (No. 15.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th March, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of correspondence with the Pacific Cable Board respecting the rates to be charged for Government telegrams from this country via the Pacific cable. 2. I trust that on consideration your Ministers will see their way to reducing the terminal rate for Government telegrams from England to at least per word, the rate which is now charged on telegrams from Australia. I have, &c, (For the Secretary of State), ONSLOW. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures. Sir,— The Pacific Cable Board, 30th September, 1902. With reference to your letter of 19th instant, I am instructed by the Pacific Cable Board to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they have ascertained that the Eastern Telegraph Company proposes on the completion of the route via the Cape to Australia to reduce the rate on Government messages not to Is. 6d. a word, as the Colonial Office letter assumes, but to Is. 7|d., viz.,— s. d. Australian terminal charges . . ... ... ... ... 0 4 Eastern Company's charges (half rates) ... ... ... ... 1 3| 1 7| On the same principle the Board, it is presumed, should reduce the rates to Is. 9id., viz.,— s. d. Tariff to Vancouver ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 Australian terminal charge ... ... ... ... ... 0 4 Half rate, Pacific cable ... ... ... ... ... 0 9^ 1 9} They write this on the assumption that— 1. The Government of the Commonwealth have reduced the terminal rate on Government messages from sd. (the ordinary rate), to 4d. a word, and 2. That the pool companies and Commercial Company will not consent to take Government traffic to Vancouver for less than Bd., against the reduced rate for ordinary messages of Is. a word. The companies have so far refused to carry Government traffic for less than two-thirds the ordinary rate, and Mr. Chamberlain is doubtless aware that the carriage of an ordinary telegram to Vancouver is Is. 6d. a word. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. S. Walpolb. Sir,— Downing Street, 10th October, 1902. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September, respecting the rates for Government telegrams to Australia. 2. Having regard to the fact that the rate over the Eastern and Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's lines will be 2d. per word less than the rate vid Vancouver and the Pacific cable, Mr. Chamberlain feels that it will be necessary seriously to consider whether messages from this Department to the Australian Government can be sent by the latter route.

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3. I am to inquire with reference to the letter from this Department of the 4th and the Board's reply of the 6th August, whether the rates for the transmission of Government telegrams between Queensland, Norfolk Island, and Fiji have yet been reduced to half the ordinary rates. Mr. Chamberlain will also be glad to learn what will be the rates for telegrams via Vancouver to Fiji and New Zealand. I am, &c, The Chairman, Pacific Cable Board. H. Bektram Cox. Sib,— 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., 27th October, 1902. 1 have laid before the Pacific Cable Board your letter of the 10th instant, respecting the rates for Government telegrams for Australasia. In reply, 1 have the honour to state that upon representations made by this Board the Atlantic telegraph companies have agreed to reduce the through rates on Government messages from Vancouver from Bd. to 6d. per word, and that in consequence the Board will be in a position to quote the same rates for these messages to Australasia as will be conceded by the Eastern and Eastern Extension Companies on such telegrams forwarded via the Cape of Good Hope. I am further to state that the Board's rate for the cable for Government telegrams between Queensland or New Zealand to Norfolk Island has been fixed ever since the opening of the cable at Id. or one-half the rate for ordinary messages. The rates between Australia or New Zealand to Fiji are, so far as the cable is concerned, 7d. for ordinary and sd. for Government messages. It is proposed to reduce the latter to 3Jd., or onehalf the rate on ordinary messages, so soon as the new tariff-rates via Vancouver are announced. 1 need hardly add that it rests with the Government of the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand, and not with the Board, to make the corresponding reductions in the terminal rates charged by them on Government messages. In conclusion, I beg to add that the Board proposes that the rates for ordinary telegrams from this country to Fanning Island shall be 2s. 6d., and to New Zealand 3s. per word. I am, &c, The Secretary of State, Colonial Office. S. Walpole. The Pacific Cable Board, 24, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W., Sir,— 4th November, 1902. With reference to my letter of the 27th ultimo, in which I intimated to you, on behalf of the Pacific Cable Board, that the Board was prepared to reduce its rates on Government messages to Australasia to Is. 7£d. per word, so soon as the Eastern Telegraph Company reduce their rate on Government messages to the same, 1 have the honour to inform you that, in order to make this concession, I have succeeded in inducing the Atlantic cable companies and the Canadian Pacific Railway to carry these messages at half the ordinary rate. It seems, however, manifestly unfair that while these companies and the Board have made this great reduction the Government of the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand have not made a corresponding redtiction. On behalf of the Pacific Cable Board, therefore, I desire to urge the Secretary of State to move the Governments of the Commonwealth and of New Zealand to reduce the terminal rate on Government, messages to one-half the rate on ordinary messages. I am, Sec., S. Walpole. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, Downing Street, S.W.

No. 3. (No. 22.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st March, 1903. I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Minis- a.-i, 1903, ters, that I duly laid before His Majesty the King your despatch (No. 11), of the No - 36 - -6 th February, reporting the offer to His Majesty of the Island of Takutea by Ngamaru, the Chief Ariki of Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro. 2. I am commanded by His Majesty in reply to desire you to convey an expression of his thanks to Ngamaru for his gift, and to say that the King trusts that his Ministers in New Zealand will secure that the island is used for the general benefit of the people of the Cook Islands, as desired by the donor I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 4. (Circular.) Sir, Downing Street, 9th April, 1903. With reference to my circular despatch of the 23rd July, 1901, relating a.-i, 1902. to magnetic and meteorological observations desired in connection with the No - 59 - -exploration of the Antarctic regions, I have the honour to inform you that, as

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the ship " Discovery " is now to remain south another season, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are of opinion that it would be advisable for these observations to be continued for another year, up to 31st March, 1904. 2. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to move your Government to arrange for the continuance until that date of such work as may have been carried on in furtherance of the scientific objects of the expedition. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 5. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th April, 1903. a.-i, loos. With further reference to the memorandum prepared by the New ZeaNo - 6 - land Law Society, which accompanied your despatch 41), of thp 9th May, 1902, and in continuation of the third paragraph of my despatch " General," of the 22nd of August last, relative to the call to the English Bar of New Zealand barristers, I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Standing Joint Committee on the Duties, Interests, and Discipline of the Bar, recording a resolution adopted by the Four Inns of Court in the matter. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures. Sir, — Treasurer's Office, Inner Temple, 16th March, 1903. , I beg to return herewith the copy of " The Law Practitioners Act, 1882 " (New Zealand), and regulations thereunder, which you forwarded on the Ist July, 1902, for the information of the Standing Joint Committee on the Duties, Interests, and Discipline of the Bar. The following is a copy of the resolution adopted by the Four Inns of Court thereon : — " That, inasmuch as facilities for joining the English Bar have always been confined to those colonies where the professions of barrister and of attorney and solicitor have been kept distinct and that when such facilities have been granted to a colony where the said professions were kept distinct they have been withdrawn when the two professions have been amalgamated: And whereas it appears that in the Colony of New Zealand the same persons may and do practise as barristers and solicitors and attorneys, according to the rules and legal procedure of the said colony, the committee are of opinion that the facilities for joining the English Bar, requested by the Law Society of New Zealand, cannot be granted. " The committee recommend that no alteration be made in the practice hitherto adopted, and that the application of the New Zealand Law Society be not complied with." I am, &c, H. W. Lawrence, Secretary of the Standing Joint Committee. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

No 6. (Honours.) My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist May, 1903. At the request of Garter Sir Albert W. Woods, X.C.8., K.C.M.G., I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith the Warrants, granting to Colonel Richard Hutton Davies, Colonel Stuart Newall, and Colonel Alfred William Robin, the honour of Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, together with the appropriate insignia; and I have to request that you will be good enough to forward the same to these gentlemen at the earliest opportunity, inviting them to return the form of receipt, which is also enclosed in each case, direct to Sir Albert Woods. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

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No. 7. (No. 38.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd May, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Treasury, stating the approximate amounts of the contributions which will be payable by the Governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, towards meeting the deficit on the working of the Pacific cable for the two years ended the 31st March last. 2. Your Ministers will observe that it is desired that these amounts shall be forthcoming soon after the final making-up of the account of the Pacific Cable Board for the year 1902-03, which will probably take place in August next. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— Treasury Chambers, 16th May, 1903. Adverting to the financial arrangements which were embodied in the Treasury minute under " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901, "communicated to your Department by Treasury letter of the 20th November, 1901, and subsequently agreed to by the contributing colonies, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they have received from the Pacific Cable Board an approximate statement of the annual expenses of the cable in the two years to the 31st March last. From this statement it appears that the deficit on the working of the cable for the period in question is estimated by the Board to have amounted to £87,512 2s. 4d.,which sum has been provided in the first instance out of the grant voted by Parliament in the year 1902-03. The contributions due to be repaid by the colonies would be, on the basis of this estimate, approximately as follows: — £■ Australia, six-eighteenths ... ... ... ... ... 29,172 Canada, five-eighteenths ... ... ... ... ... 24,310 New Zealand, two-eighteenths ... ... ... ... ... 9,724 When the particulars of the audited expenditure are available —probably in the month of August next —my Lords will cause a precise statement of the sums erne to be furnished for payment by the representatives of the colonies. But in the meantime lam to request that Mr. Chamberlain will cause the colonies to be informed of the amount of their liabilities as now estimated, in order that any necessary arrangements may be made to provide for payment of the contributions when ascertained. lam to point out that it will be necessary to obtain these contributions soon after the final making-up of last year's account, in order to place the Cable Board in funds for payment of the first instalment (£77,545) of the annuity to the National Debt Commissioners. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. W. Hamilton.

No. 8. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th May, 1903. With reference to your despatch (No. 123), of the 23rd November, 1901, α-i, igoa, and to my reply, " General," of the 25th January, 1902, I have the honour to No - 66 - -state for the information of your Ministers that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been requested to notify the Belgian Government of the adherence of the Colony of New Zealand to the International Convention of 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property, as notified by the additional Act of 1900. j 2. I have to request you to remind your Ministers that it will be necessary to bring the law of the colony into conformity with the Convention as modifi by the additional Act, if this is not already the case, and I shall be glad to be furnished with information showing that such conformity exists, together with copies of the laws bearing upon the question. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

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No. 9. (No. 40.) My Lord,— . Downing Street, 29th May, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 23rd May, reporting that you have called to the Executive and Legislative Councils Mahuta, generally known as "King of the "Maoris." 2. His Majesty's Government have received your telegram with much satisfaction. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 10. (No. 41.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th June, 1903. α-i, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, with reference to your despatch (No. 30) of the 11th April last, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. Date. From To Subject. sth June, 1903 ... War Office ... Colonial Office Issue of the King's South Africa Medal. i

Enclosure. Sir,— War Office, London, S.W., sth June, 1903. With reference to your memorandum of the 20th ultimo, No. 18242, forwarding a copy of a despatch received from the Governor of New Zealand regarding the issue of the King's South African Medal, 1 am directed by the Secretary of State for War to inform you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the terms governing the issue of that decoration were the subject of anxious consideration before Army Order 232 of 1902 was framed for His Majesty's approval, and it is regretted that no alteration can now be made in the existing terms under which the medal is issued. I am, &c, Gut Fleetwood Wilson. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, Whitehall, S.W.

No. 11. (No. 48.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd July, 1903. I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Ministers, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to approve of the sons of officers in the permanent naval and military forces in New Zealand, if exclusively employed as such, being eligible for the privilege of admission to the Osborne or Britannia Colleges on the reduced charges of £40 a year, under the same conditions as naval and military officers of the Imperial forces. 2. The number of such cadets to whom this privilege can be granted is strictly limited, and in the selection of candidates regard is paid solely to the pecuniary circumstances of the cadet. It will of course be understood that no preference can be given on account of the fact that the candidate for the reduced scale of pay has received a colonial nomination. 3. Copies are forwarded of the form upon which the application for the reduced scale of payment should be made. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

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No. 12. (No. 57.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th August, 1903. I have received and laid before His Majesty the petition, signed by a large number of Maoris, praying that on the expiry of your term of office Mr. Seddon might be appointed to be Governor of the colony. The King has commanded me to desire you to convey to the petitioners his appreciation of their good wishes for Her Majesty and Himself, and of the satisfaction with which he gathers from their petition that they are happy and contented under the administration of his Government in New Zealand. His Majesty is well aware of and appreciates highly the services which Mr Seddon has rendered to New Zealand and the Empire; but it would be contrary to universal precedent to appoint as a Governor, whose impartiality must be beyond question, any gentleman who has been prominently engaged in the politics of the colony. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 13. (Honours.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th August, 1903. With reference to my telegram of the 25th June, notifying the promotion of the Honourable Alfred Jerome Cadman to be a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, I have the honour by command of the King to transmit to Your Lordship a Warrant, passed under the Royal Sign manual, and the Seal of the Order, authorising you to confer upon that gentleman the honour of Knighthood, and to invest him with the insignia of a Knight Commander of the Order, which are being sent to you in a separate packet. The Warrant should be handed to the Honourable A. J. Cadman after the completion of the ceremony. I also enclose for presentation to him a copy of the statutes of the Order, together with a letter addressed to him containing the Warrant conferring upon him the dignity of Knight Commander of the Order. I shall be glad to receive for record in the Chancery a full report of the procedings at the investiture. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 14. (No. 61.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd August, 1903. With reference to my despatch (No. 38), of the 22nd May, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Treasury enclosing a copy of the auditor's report on the accounts of the Pacific Cable Board for the year ended the 31st March last. 2. I shall be glad if your Ministers will make arrangements as soon as possible for paying to the Imperial Government the sum of £10,0-57 11s. 7d. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosures Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 18th August, 1903. Adverting to Treasury letter of the 16th May last (8063/03), I am dirtcted by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, that the Pacific Cable Board's account of the expenses of the cable for the period

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ending the 31st March last has now been audited. A copy of the audoitr's report is enclosed herewith, from which it will be seen that the deficit on the working of the cable for the period in question amounts to £90,518 4s. 4d., and the sums therefore recoverable from the Colonial Governments are as follows: — £ s. d. Australia, six-eighteenths ... ... ... ... 30,172 14 9 Canada, five-eighteenths ... ... ... ... 25,143 19 0 New Zealand, two-eighteenths ... ... ... ... 10,057 11 7 65,374 5 4 I am accordingly to request that you will move the Secretary of State to communicate with the colonial Governments concerned in order that these amounts may be paid as soon as practicable to the credit of the account of the vote for Telegraph Subsidies and Pacific Cable. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Robebt Chalmers.

Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 12th August, 1903. I have the honour to report that I have audited the accounts of the Pacific Cable Board for the year ended the 31st March, 1903, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in their Lordships' minute of the 17th April, 1902 (3998/02), and have found them correct. The annual expenses of the cable, as described in section 2 of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901," so far as they were not met out of the receipts arising in connection with the cable, amounted in the period to the 31st March, 1903, to £90,518 4s. 4d., and a sum of £65,374 ss. 4d. representing thirteen-eighteenths of the net expenditure, is therefore recoverable from the colonial Governments, viz., — £ s. d. Australia, six-eighteenths ... ... ... ... 30,172 14 9 Canada, five-eighteenths .. ... ... ... 25,143 19 0 New Zealand, two-eighteenths ... ... ... ... 10,057 11 7 65,374 5 4 I beg to submit that the account forwarded with the Pacific Cable Board's letter of the 10th instant (13938/03) be presented to Parliament in compliance with section 7 of " The Pacific Cable Act, 1901." I have, &c, The Secretary to the Treasury. G. H. Hunt.

No. 15. (No. 65.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th September, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 69), of the 20th July, reporting that £10,000 was voted in last year's estimates in respect of New Zealand's share of the loss in the working of the Pacific cable for the two years ended the 31st March, 1903. 2. From my despatch (No. 61), of the 22nd August, your Ministers will have learnt that the total amount recoverable from New Zealand is slightly more than £10,000, and I shall be glad if they will make the necessary arrangements for the payment of the balance of £57 lls. 7d. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 16. (No. 66.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th September, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 71), of the 21st July last, forwarding copies of the Speech delivered by you at the opening of the Parliament of New Zealand on the 30th June last, and also copies of the Addresses presented to you in reply. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 17. (Miscellaneous.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th September, 1903. a.—i, 1902. With reference to your Lordship's despatch (No. 9), of the 17th No. 76. February, 1902, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a new seal, pre-

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pared for the Government of New Zealand, together with a Warrant authorising its use, and I would invite your attention to the direction in the Warrant as to the return of the old seal. 2. The Agent-General for New Zealand has been requested to make arrangements for the collection and shipment of the press, which has been supplied by the Royal Mint for use with the seal. I have, &c, J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G , &c.

Enclosure [Seal.] Edward, R. and I. To our Governor and Commander in Chief of our Colony of New Zealand, or, in his absence, to our Lieutenant-Governor or other officer for the time being administering the Government of our said colony. With this you will receive a seal prepared by our order for the use of the Government of our Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies. Our will and pleasure is, and We do hereby authorise and direct, that the said seal be used in sealing all public instruments which shall be made and passed in our name and for our service in our said colony and its dependencies. And We further require and command that you do return the old seal of our Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies to us, through one of our Principal Secretaries of State, in order to its being defaced in like manner with other seals by Us in our Privy Council. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given at our Court at Saint James's, this twenty-eighth day of August, 1903, in the third 3'ear of our reign. By His Majesty's Command. J. Chamberlain. Warrant authorising the use of a seal prepared for tht Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies.

No. 18. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, 9th October, 1903. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty has been pleased this day to intrust to my care, as one of the Principal Secretaries of State, the seals of the Colonial Department, I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 19. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd October, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 87) of the 2nd ultimo, calling attention to section 106 of the Patents, A-1 _ 1904 Designs, and Trade-marks Act of 1889, and stating that your Government No. 13. consider that no alteration in the law of the colony is required to bring it into conformity with the Industrial Property Convention of 1883 as modified by the Additional Act of Brussels of 1900. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c

No. 20. (No. 84.; My Lord, Downing Street, 14th November, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a despatch from the Governor of Fiji

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respecting the establishment of an export trade in tobacco and cigars from that colony. 2. I am addressing a similar despatch to the Governor-General of Australia. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sir, — Government House, Suva, Fiji, 23rd September, 1903. In paragraph 3 of my despatch (No. 97) of the 14th ultimo, forwarding the report on the blue-book for 1902, I had the honour of drawing attention to the possibility of establishing in Fiji a valuable export trade in tobacco and cigars; and, again, in paragraph 3 of my despatch (No. 105) of the 15th instant, submitting for consideration Ordinance No. VII. of 1903, I referred to the concessions granted under that Ordinance with a view of encouraging that new industry. 2. In this connection the accompanying extract from the published report of the directors of Messrs Austin Walsh and Co., the important firm referred to in my despatch (No. 105) above quoted, may be of interest as showing the extent to which that firm has already taken up the local trade since opening negotiations with me in April last. It will be observed that they now control and finance the tobacco plantations at Nadroga, covering 218 acres, and that their newly established factory in Suva can turn out from thirty to forty thousand cigars a month. I bave tried samples of these cigars made entirely from Fiji-grown tobacco, and they are well made and of good quality and flavour. 3. I regret that I am informed by Messrs Austin Walsh and Co. that after consideration of the proposals referred to in the latter part of my despatch (No. 105) of the sth instant, the New Zealand Government have notified them that they are not prepared at present to admit Fiji tobacco on special terms; but the firm state that they have no intention of accepting this decision as final. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P. H. M. Jackson. Extract from Directors of Messrs Austin Walsh's Report to the Press of Meeting held Bth September, 1903. The latest productions in the cigar department —namely, the "Atlas Rothschild" and "Atlas Bouquet" —are worthy of particular attention. They have been but recently placed before smokers, and are already meeting with a large demand. Made only by expert hand makers, of Fiji leaf throughout, and packed in neat and attractive boxes, the quality and appearance of these cigars prove conclusively that our local factory can manufacture an article able to compete successfully with any imported cigar. The leaf is specially selected and grown on the company's own plantations in Fiji, and most smokers appreciate the unique and delicate aroma which specially characterizes the Fijian tobacco, as manufactured under the special treatment adopted by the company in its Auckland and Suva factories. The plantations of the company were specially selected by Mr. G. F. Sutherland, a planter of long experience in India and elsewhere, and who was for some years Tobacco Expert to the New South Wales Government. Mr. Sutherland has devoted several years to the culture of tobacco in Fiji, and has undoubtedly demonstrated that excellent leaf can be successfully cultivated in that colony, the quality of the tobacco being in many respects even superior to the product of older tobacco-producing countries. Owing to the extensive experience gained by Mr. Sutherland he was in a position to select the special variety of tobacco most suitable for the climate and soil of Fiji, his experience having resulted in producing a new type of aromatic leaf essentially valuable to cigar-manufacturers, from which can be selected wrappers, binders, and fillers of high quality as required, and for which a large export trade is confidently looked for when the planting operations are extended. From opinions expressed by experts in the leaf trade, it is anticipated that the production of tobacco in Fiji will ere long assume similar large proportions to that at present obtaining in the Philippine Islands, and East and W T est Indies, Fiji being one of the few British colonies that has so far successfully produced a tobacco able to compete successfully with the leaf grown in these countries. The business of this plantation, with the trade in Fiji of manufactured cigars, was taken over by a company formed entirely of Auckland and Fijian residents, and registered as the "Fiji Tobacco Company." This company afterwards amalgamated with the business of Messrs Austin Walsh and Co., of this city, and the combined business is now carried on under the title of " Austin Walsh and Co. (Limited)," the directors being Messrs Austin Walsh (managing director), A. H. Nathan, J. Schischka, J. J. Oldum, E. B. Dufaur, and S. Lazaras. Incorporated with the company are, — The Improved Tobacco Plantation at Nadroga, Fiji, consisting of about 218 acres, leased on very favourable terms from the Government, with furnished residental quarters, offices, labour-barracks, and curing-houses. This plantation is one of the most fertile spots in Fiji, is situated on a navigable river, is easily worked, and admirably adapted by Nature for the cultivation of tobacco.

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Cigar-factory in Suva, Fiji, equipped with hand appliances, and capable of turning out from thirty to forty thousand cigars per month. The company has practically a monopoly of the cigar and cheroot trade in Fiji, being free from excise, and protected by an import duty of ss. per pound. In the past Messrs Austin Walsh and Co., a firm of many years' standing, well and favourably known throughout the colony, imported the whole of their leaf-requirements, drawing their supplies from the various tobacco-producing countries, but it is anticipated that in the near future, as the Fijian production develops, the foreign product will be superseded. The Government of Fiji fully realise the importance of the recent developments in tobacco-cultivation which have been referred to; they have granted valuable concessions to the company, and are prepared to incur both trouble and expense in assisting tobacco-culture in their colony wherever the conditions are favourable.

No 21. (No. 85.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th November, 1903. With reference to your despatch (No. 62) of the 28th August, 1900, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of your Ministers, that the Secretary of State for War lias given the necessary instructions for the free issue to your Government of 22-1.000 rounds of small-arm ammunition (-803" ball Mk. II.) and 16,000 rounds of pistol ammunition (Webley), to replace the ammunition taken by the New Zealand contingents to South Africa. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 22. (No. 80.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 25th November, 1903. T have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 100) of the 15th October respecting the New Zealand share of the cost of the Pacific n o 7i6. 9 ° cable for the year 1902-3, and to inform you that a cheque for the amount in question, viz., £10,057 Us. 7d., has now been received from the Agent-General and forwarded to the Treasury. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 23. (No. 90.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th November, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Lordship's Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. i have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. 11, Rangoon Street, E.C., 24th November, 1903. Sib, — Kauri-gum. This product for varnish-making is obtainable solely from New Zealand. The yearly quantity collected amounts to 10,000 tons, valued at about £700,000. An arrangement might

Date Prom To Subject. Subject. !4th November. 1903 Mr. B. M. Barton ... Colonial Office... Proposes export duty on kauri-gum exported from New Zealand to places other than the United Kingdom.

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probably be made with New Zealand, in return for our taking their frozen mutton free of duty into the British Isles, that she should send us her kauri-gum free, but to all other nations an export duty of, say, 10 to 15 per cent, be imposed. The United States receive annually 6,000 tons of this gum. If they continued to purchase the same quantity from New Zealand after the export duty camo into force, our colony would benefit by £80,000 yearly; but it may reasonably be inferred that a much larger quantity would be sent direct to our English ports, when it would attract buyers from the manufacturing centres. Our varnish-makers would be placed in a good position, having their gum 10 to 15 per cent, less than their competitors, and it would at once stop the Americans from dumping their surplus stocks of varnish on this market, which h*<s been done for some time past. Many working-men would have constant employment, not only in the varnish-factories, but in the docks and railways. You are no doubt aware that Germany, France, and Holland invariably compel their colonies to send all their produce through their countries where the goods are either manufactured or distributed through their markets for their benefit. To business-men in Mincing Lane their policy is universally considered sound. If we are to keep a grip on our home trade something on similar lines to what I suggest is sure to come, and the sooner the better, as we are feeling acutely that things have been allowed to slide, and, whilst we have been sleeping, our opponents have been wideawake and taking every advantage of our apathy and self-conceit. I remain, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies, S.W. B. M. Bakton.

No. 24. (No. 91.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th November, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Home Office, asking for information on certain points connected with the working of the " probation " system in New Zealand, and to say that I should be glad if your Ministers could see their way to furnish the information which Mr. Akers Douglas desires. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— Whitehall, 25th November, 1903. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas to refer to the report upon the Prisons Branch of the New Zealand Department of Justice for the year 1902, forwarded to this Department on the 28th ultimo, and especially to that part of the report which deals with the working of " The First Offenders' Probation Act, 1886," and to say that he would be very glad to have further particulars of the working of the " probation " system in New Zealand, with special reference to the following points, viz.: — 1. Are the probation officers selected from the police, or are they persons not otherwise occupying an official position ? 2. Are they directly responsible to the Minister of Justice, or are they subordinate to the police authority, or the prison authority, or the Magistrates ? 3. What are the costs which probationers are ordinarily ordered to pay, and to what fund are the costs paid allocated? i. Are any statistics available of the area and population of the districts which are assigned to the probation officers? If any similar system exists in any of the Australian colonies, Mr. Akers Douglas would be very glad if similar particulars with regard to it could be furnished. I have, &c, The Undersecretary of State, Colonial Office. C. E. Tboup.

No. 25. (No. 92.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 2nd December, 1903. With reference to my telegram of the 12th ultimo, in which I informed your Lordship of the satisfaction which I felt at the enactment of the Naval Agreement Bill, I have the honour to enclose, for communication to your Ministers, a copy of a letter which has been received from the Admiralty in connection with " The Naval Agreement Act. 1903," of the Commonwealth of Australia. 2. I am advised that the alterations suggested in this letter in the limits of the three naval stations named in Article 11. of the Naval Agreement will

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require the consent of the Government o* New Zealand under that article. I have no doubt that your Ministers will readily agree to the Admiralty proposals. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c. Enclosure. Sir,— Admiralty, 20th November, 1903. With reference to your letter (No. 37458/03) of the 17th ultimo, forwarding copy of ''The Naval Agreement Act, 1903," of the Commonwealth of Australia, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will inform Mr Secretary Lyttelton that they concur in the proposal to inform the Governor-General that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to this Act. I am to add that the suggested alterations in the limits of the China and Australian Stations so as to include the Cocos and Christmas Islands in the former command, and the alteration of the limits of the Cape of Good Hope and East Indies Station so as to include the Chagos Archipelago and Diego Garcia with the latter command, in which the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, India, and the Colonies have already expressed their concurrence, will necessitate a corresponding alteration in the schedule to the Agreement, and 1 am to transmit herewith cop\' of the amended descriptions of the limits of the four stations, which have been prepared by the Hydrotrrapher. I have, dec, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macghegok. The Australian Station is bounded : — Vorth : Prom 95° east longitude by Che parallel of 130° south latitude to 120° east longitude ; thence north-eastward to 8° south latitude on the meridian of 130° east longitude; thence north to 2° north latitude and along that parallel to 136° east longitude ; thence north to 12° north latitude and along that parallel to 160° west longitude ; thence south to the equator ; thence east to the meridian of 149° 30' west longitude. South : By the Antarctic Circle. East: By the meridian of 149° 30' west longitude. West: By the meridian of 95° east longitude. Limits of the China Station : — North : Prom the meridian of 95° east longitude in the latitude of 10° north along this parallel to the west coast of the Malay Peninsula ; thence by the shores of Asia as far as the meridian of 180°. West: From the latitude of 10° north by the meridian of 95° east longitude to latitude 13° south. South : From the meridian of 95° east longitude by the parallel of 13° south latitude to 120° east longitude ; thence north-eastward to 8° south latitude on the meridian of 130° east longitude ; thence north to 2° north latitude and along that parallel to 136° east longitude ; thence north to 12° north latitude and along that parallel to the meridian of 180°. East : By the meridian of 180° from 12° north latitude to the point where the meridian reaches the shores of Asia. The Cape of Good Hope Station is bounded : — North: In the Indian Ocean by the equator, between the coast of Africa and the meridian of 70° east longitude and by the parallel of 10° south latitude between the meridians of 70° and 95° east longitude : in the Atlantic by the parallel of the Cunene Eiver about 17° 15' south latitude between the coast of Africa and the meridian of Greenwich, and by the parallel of 15° south latitude between the meridians of Greenwich and of 15° west longitude. East: By the meridian of 70° east longitude between the equator and the parallel of 10° south latitude and by the meridian of 95° east longitude. South : By the Antarctic Circle. West : By the meridian of 15° west longitude. The East Indies Station is bounded : — North : By the south shores of Asia (including the Persian Gulf) from an imaginary line drawn from Bas Siyan on the African coast to Cape Bab-el-Mandeb on the Arabian coast, to where the parallel of 10° north latitude touches the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. East: By the meridian of 95° east longitude, between the parallels of 10° north and 10° south latitude. South : By the parallel of 10° north latitude between the coast of the Malay Peninsula and the meridian of 95° east longitude, and by the parallel of 10° south latitude between the meridians of 70° and 95° east longitude and by the equator between the meridian of 70° east longitude and the African coast. West: By the meridian of 70° east longitude between the parallel of 10° south and the equator, and the coast of Africa from the equator to Eas Siyan.

No. 26. (No. 93.) My Lord, — Downing Street, 10t!i December, 1903. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

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Enclosure. The Rylands' Glass and Engineering Company (Limited), Sir, — Stairfoot, Barnsley, 7th December, 1903. May we respectfully call your attention to the recently passed New Zealand Preferential and Keciprocal Trade Act. According to this Act it appears from the newspaper reports that preferential treatment is to be accorded to British-made glassware of certain descriptions only, and that ordinary empty bottles of plain glass are placed on the free list. The effect of this will be that cheap foreign-made bottles will be admitted into New Zealand to the exclusion of British-made bottles. We are ourselves one of the largest manufacturers in this country of ordinary glass bottles, and along with other firms engaged in this industry we are suffering considerably from competition of cheap foreign-made glassware. We are not a little surprised that the particular class of goods which we manufacture in this country is exempted from the preferential treatment which the recently passed New Zealand Act gives to other classes of glassware. If you could by any means secure the removal of this anomaly you would confer great benefit on the extensive industries in this country engaged in the manufacture of ordinary plain glass bottles. Yours, &c, Wilton Bhook, Secretary and Manager. Hon. Alfred Lyttelton, Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

No. 27. (General.) My Lord, — Downing Street. 11th December, 1903. With reference to my telegram of the 23rd ultimo, 1 have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a memorandum by the Commercial Attache to the British Embassy at Berlin, relative to German views of the New Zealand policy of preferential tariffs in favour of the United Kingdom and other parts of the British Empire. 1 have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

Enclosure. Memorandum on German views of New Zealand's Preferential Policy. The Borseii Courier of the 27th instant contains a short article on the adoption in New Zealand of a preferential tariff for the Mother-country. After stating that this step was unexpected, the figures of the actual trade done by Germany with that British colony are gone into as far as it is possible to do so. The Hamburg statistics are employed for this purpose, because the Imperial statistical returns have no special figures for commerce with New Zealand, but include that country under the heading of "Australasia." The Bremen statistics are equally useless for the same reason. " The new tariff leaves tea from the British colonies free, a matter which only affects China. For foreign countries the duty on cement is doubled: Hamburg in 1903 exported more than fifty thousand pounds' worth to Australia, but, none to New Zealand. The duty on the following principal goods exported to the latter colony is increased by a half: Pianos, £53,860; toys, £12,768; glassware, £9,436; bicycles, £5,080; fancy goods, brushes, &c, £2,468; watches' £1,115; ironware, £17,135; furniture, £9,436; packing-paper (paper and cardboard), £8,046; cordage and ropes, £4,017; boots and shoes, £1,362; basketware, £713. For the following articles imported from Germany a duty of 20 pur cent, is charged, instead of their being duty-free as formerly: Bicycle-fittings (the exports from Hamburg are included above under " bicycles "), printing-paper, wire ropes, and woven-wire tissues (included under " iron "). It will thus be seen that many branches of German export industries are affected. The total exports from Hamburg in 1898 only amounted to £55,000; they have since steadily increased to £207,850 in 1902." Though the Bremen statistics do not show separately exports to New Zealand, yet as its total trade with Australasia is about one-half that of Hamburg, some £50,000 may fairly be added as exports to that colony. The amount of goods going from the Rhine and Westphalia via Antwerp and England cannot be estimated; but the chemical, metal, and textile trades are certainly interested to a considerable extent.

Date. From To Subject. ;e. th December, The Hylauds Glass Colonial Office... Position of British manufacturers ot 1903 and Engineering glass bottles under the New ZeaOomuany (Limited) laud preferential tariff.

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The Bomen Courier goes on to say that, as there will at once be a clamour for reprisals, it is well to consider this question: " The German imports from New Zealand are very small. In 1902 Hamburg imported 6,335 pounds' worth of floods only, amongst which are: Rubber and copal, £2,665; grass-seeds, £1,689; wool, £950. In the two previous years, however, the importation had been rather larger, namely, £33,985 ir, 1901, and (including £20,000 for wheat and £8,700 for seeds) £28,203 in 1900 (including wheat, £13,615; wool, £4,307; and hemp, £757)." These facts do not, it is added, promise any success for retaliatory measures. Berlin, 28th November, 1903. William S. H. Gastbell.

No. 28. (Circular.) Sir, — Downing Street, 9th January, 1904. With reference to my predecessor's circular despatch of the 12th September. 1901, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of a notification of the Bundesrath which has been issued prolonging after the 31st December, 1903, the provisions contained in their last notification of the 11th June, 1901, respecting German commercial relations with the British Empire, and of a memorandum on the subject prepared by the Commercial Attache to His Majesty's Embassy at Berlin. I have caused the information contained in these papers to be conveyed to you by telegram, as it supplements and modifies that contained in my recent despatch of the 19th ultimo on this subject. T have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand

Enclosures. Memorandum on Commercial Relations with the British Empire. The ReAchxaiizeiger of this evening publishes the text of the law recently passed by the Reichstag, which authorised the Bundesrath to grant most-favoured-nation treatment to the British Empire up to 31st December, 1905, a translation of which has already been forwarded. Below that law the formal notification of the Bundesrath is now published, which in the present instance does not even mention by name any country as exempted from the benefits of such treatment, but it provides that the same conditions as prevailed in the last similar notification of the 11th June, 1901, shall continue to be in force after the 31st December, 1903, until further notice. A copy and translation of this notification are enclosed herewith. It will be remembered that the notification of 1901 excluded Canada from the privilege of most-favoured-nation treatment. Under the wording of the new notification, therefore, the Dominion of Canada still continue* to be exempted, as before. No action is taken at present to exempt the imports from the Cape and New Zealand from the benefits of most-favoured-nation treatment in view of the preferences recently accorded by those countries to goods imported from Great Britain. Berlin, 30th December, 1903. William S. H. Gastrell. .V, yin cation concerning the Commercial Relations with the British Empire. (Of 30th December 1903.) By virtue of the foregoing law the Bundesrath has decided to prolong the duration of the provisions contained in the notification of the 11th June, 1901 (Reiehsgesttzblatt, page 205), beyond the 31st December, 1903, until further notice. For the Imperial Chancellor. Graf Yon Posadowsky. Berlin, 30th December, 1903.

• No. 29. (No. 5.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 30th January, 1904. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the papers noted in the subjoined schedule. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

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Enclosures. Sin, Admiralty, 31st January, 1904. I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward herewith for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Conimander-in-Cliief, Australia, on the subject of the allotment yearly of a certain number of commissions as medical officers in the Royal Navy to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies. I have, &0.. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgregor. Sir,— 21st January, 1904. With reference to your submission of the Bth June last (No. 175/1821), on the subject of the entry into the Royal Navy of medical men who have qualified at colonial universities, I aiu commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that they have decided to allot a certain number of commissions as medical officers to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies under the following arrangements: — 1. During the next three years Australia to be offered two commissions a year and New Zealand one in alternate years- -4.c., six for Australia and two for New Zealand during that period. 2. The candidates to be selected by the Governor-Generai of the Commonwealth and the Governor of New Zealand respectively, after consulting the Commandsr-in-Chief on the stations, on the recommendation of the University authorities 3. Candidates must be registered medical practitioners, and hold suitable certificates in both medicine and surgery granted by the Universities of Sydnej', Melbourne, or Adelaide, or the University of New Zealand. 4. The candidates are either to be nominated direct or selected after passing an examination held by the local University, according as the Governor and Admiral on the station may determine. They must also pass the physical examination referred to in clause 8 of the regulations for entry of candidates (copy enclosed). 5. The selected candidates are to be appointed provisionally only, their commissions in the Royal Navy being determined by the result of the course of training at Haslar, in which they will be expected to qualify to the satisfaction of the naval medical authorities. 2. I am to request, therefore, that you will place yourself in communication with the Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth and the Governor of New Zealand with a view to carrying this arrangement into effect forthwith. I am, &c, Evan Macqregor. The Commander-in-Chief, H.M. Ships and Vessels, Australia.

No. 30. (No. 6.) My Lord, — Downing Streel, 4th February, 1904. 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. 31 of 1903, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend ' The Military Pensions Act, 1866," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch (No. 117) of the 12th December last. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 31. (No. 7.) My Loud, — Downing Street, 4th February, 1904. 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. 89 of 1903, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to make Better Provision

Iβ. rom ijeoi !lst January, | Admiralty (with en- Colonial Office... Allotment of commissions as medical 1904 closure) officers in the Royal Navy to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies.

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for the Government of the Cook and other Islands," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch (No. 117) of the 12th December last. noT^o. 190 *' I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 32. My Lord —- Downing Street, 9th February, 1904. 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. 11 of 1903, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to provide for the Establishment and Control of Stations for the purpose of Wireless Telegraphy, a transcript of which accompanied your despatch (No. 117) of the 12th December a.-i, i 904. l fl( ,f I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 33. My Lord,-- Downing Street, 16th February, 1904. 1 have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your despatch (No. 117) of the 12th December last. no. 26. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c. [For List of Acts see New Zealand Gazette of the 12th May, 1904, page 1254.]

No. 34. (No. 10.) My Lord, Downing Street, 18th February, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 2) A.-i,i904. of the 7th January, from which I have learnt with regret of the death of the °- c Honourable W. C." Walker, C.M.G., Speaker of the Legislative Council of New 7pfllanH 1 have, &c. Zealand - ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

No. 35. (Circular.) My Lord, Downing Street, 15th March, 1904. I have the honour to direct your attention to the treatise on the " Classification and Uses of Finger-prints," in connection with the identification of criminals, by Mr. E. R. Henry, C.5.1., formerly of the Indian Civil Service, and now Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police. 2. As two of the Agents-General have applied to His Majesty's Government for information on this subject, I enclose for your information a copy of a circular despatch which was addressed by my predecessor to the Governors of colonies not possessing Responsible Government, in some of which the system has already been brought into use with the same success which has attended its adoption in this country and in India. 1 have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. Governor the Right LTon. the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., &c.

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Enclosure. (Circular.) Sir,— Downing Street, Bth July, 1903. As you are no doubt aware, the question of the best method for the identification of criminals has been for some considerable time under consideration in this country, and it has been finally decided to adopt the system which has been successfully employed in India, and which consists in taking impressions of the fingers of prisoners. 2. This system has already been introduced into the Transvaal, Lagos, Northern Nigeria, and I understand that its adoption is under consideration in several other colonies. Its success in India and elsewhere has been so considerable, and the advantages which it possesses over the anthropometric and other systems are considered to be so great, that I have no hesitation in inviting your attention to the question whether it might not be desirable to introduce the system in the prisons of the colony under your government. 3. The matter may already have come to your notice, and the book may be known to you ; but I have instructed the Crown Agents for the colonies to purchase and to send to you a copy of the leading treatise on the subject, " Classification and Uses of Finger-prints," by Mr. E. R. Henry, C.5.1., formerly of the Indian Civil Service, and now Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. This volume, though not a Government publication, was prepared for the use of the Government of India, and contains, I understand, all the information required for the sucessful working of the system. I have, <fee, J. CHAMBERLAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of

Approximate Goat of Paper.— Preparati'n, not given; printing tl 425 copies), £9 13s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington—l9o4.

Price, 9d.]