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1908. NEW ZEALAND.
DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES.
Presented to both Rouses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency
INDEX.
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No. | of Series Page Subject. Date. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 23 April, 1907.. 25 May, „ . • 22 June, „ .. 25 June, ,, . ■ 25 June, „ .. 25 June, „ .. 28 June, „ .. 5 July, ,, • • 18 July, „ • • 22 July, „ • • 2 Aug., „ •■ 3 Aug., „ • • 18 Aug., „ ■ ■ 5 Sept., „ .. 6 Sept., „ . • 21 Sept., „ •■ 2 Oct., „ • • 2 Oct., „ .. 6 Oct., „ . • Gold and silver exported, year 1906 Conference of Teachers of the Deaf .. Merohant-shipping legislation Records of the New Zealand Company Ordinances of the Cook and other Islands White-slave traffic .. .. •• ■• • ■. •• .._. " Honorary distinctions to New Zealand corps for services m South Africa .. Fires in wool-cargoes .. ■ • • • • • . • • „ Change of New Zealand designation from colony to Dominion Opening of Parliament Proposed harbour at Point Elizabeth Shipping rings or conferences ... Universal Postal Union Convention, Rome Maori petition for disallowance of Maori Land Acts _ ••,_•; Presbyterian Church wishes appointments of chaplains to the fleet " Juvenile Smoking Suppression Act, 1903 " : as to its working.. Fires in wool-cargoes .. • • v; Proposed memorial to Captain Cook in Ship s Cove .. .. •• ■• Merchant-shipping legislation : effect to be given to resolutions of Navigation ConGeneral medal to colonial forces for long service and good conduct Certificates of naturalisation to contain signatures of holders Radio-telegraphic Convention • • • ■ Proclamation of New Hebrides Anglo-French Convention Reciprocity in registration of Icelandic trade-marks New Zealand's Acts of 1907 .. • • •■. ■• ••„ Chinese petition in opposition to Chinese Immigrants Act, 1907 Masters and mates to have a knowledge of first aid to the injured Foreign Tribunals Evidence Act Congress of Orientalists .. ■ • ■ • '' . .. V j to " \ *' ± i,L Letters patent, Royal instructions, and Commission appointing Lord Plunket to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand On the subject of the regulations for candidates entering the British navy Substitution of fern-leaves for laurel-leaves in the Governor s flag Forage and poisonous plants for veterinary instruction .. •■ •• Certain islands in the Pacific to be under the jurisdiction of the Dominion Shipping rings or conferences .. •• ■• ••„ Chinese petition in opposition to " Chinese Immigrants Act, 1907 Tncrease of subsidy of the Dominion to the Imperial navy Asking for an obsolete man-of-war for training young men for the Imperial navy .. 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Oct., „ •• 9 Nov., „ • ■ 3 Dec., „ • • 10 Dec, „ • • 11 Dec, „ •■ 14 Dec, „ .. 14 Dec, „ .. 21 Dec, „ .. 21 Dec, „ •■ 21 Dec, „ . • 2 Jan., 1908.. 10 10 10 10 11 11 15 16 16 16 16 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 3 Jan., „ • ■ 5 Jan., ,, 12 Mar., „ .. 17 Mar., „ . . 17 Mar., „ .. 17 Mar., „ .. 17 Mar., „ .. 17 Mar., „ .. 17 17 18 18 19 19 22 22
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No. 1. (No. 30.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd April, 1907. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship, with reference to Colonial Office despatch of the Bth December 1898, that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export for the year ended 31st December, 1906, were 563,843 oz., equal to 17,537-88 kilogrammes, valued at £2,270,904; and 1,390,536 oz., equal to 43,251-5 kilogrammes, vauled at £143,598, respectively. I have, &c, PLUNKET. The Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, E.G., P.C., G.C.5.1., G.C.1.E., &c, &c, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 2. (No. 36.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th May, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 4th March last, on the subject of the forthcoming Conference of Teachers of the Deaf, which I duly submitted to my Ministers, together with the letters enclosed for distribution to Institutions for teaching of the deaf. 2. My Government inform me that the Inspector-General of Schools, who is now in England, has been advised of the proposed Conference in order that, if possible, he may attend it. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 3. (No. 42.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd June, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Circular) of the Bth February last, on the subject of Merchant Shipping legislation. 2. My Ministers inform me that it is proposed to include those provisions of the British " Merchant Shipping Act, 1906," which are not at present law in this Colony in a Bill now being prepared to amend " The Shipping and Seamen Act, 1903." I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 4. (No. 45.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th June, 1907. With reference to your predecessor's despatch (No. 67) of the 7th September 1904, on the subject of Records of the New Zealand Company, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have now received the following reply from my Prime Minister. 2. The New Zealand Government have had these Records examined by Doctor Hocken in London and are satisfied that many of them would be of interest and historic value to this Colony. They therefore accept with pleasure the offer of the Imperial Government to furnish duplicate and triplicate copies of the documents named in Doctor Hocken's letter of the 22nd October 1903 and also all the original papers mentioned in his Report on the Books and Papers of the New Zealand Company, which Report is returned herewith. 3. As regards the long delay in dealing with this despatch, my Ministers desire me to explain that it is partially due to the absence from the Colony of Doctor Hocken, whom it was desired to consult, and subsequently to the despatch having been for some time mislaid.
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4. My Prime Minister asks me to add his great regret that inconvenience should have been caused by this delay, which was not due to any want of appreciation of the action of the Secretary of State in affording this Colony an opportunity of obtaining these interesting documents. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 5. (No. 46.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th June, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith, in duplicate, copies of the following Ordinances relating to the Cook and other Islands : — Ordinance No. 19. —" Niue Island Quarantine Regulations Ordinance, 1906." Federal Ordinance No. 19.—" Immigrants Restriction Ordinance, 1907." Federal Ordinance No. 20. —" Resident Agents' Courts Jurisdiction Ordinance, 1907." Rarotonga Local Ordinance No. 6. —" Water-supply Regulations Ordinance, 1907." . I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 6. (No. 47.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th June, 1907. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have now received a reply from my Government to your predecessor's circular despatch of the 26th January 1905. 2. My Ministers state that, as far as is known, the " White Slave Traffic " does not at present affect New Zealand, but the Government is prepared to become a party to the Convention. 3. As at present advised, it will not be necessary for this Colony to legislate upon the subject. 4. With reference to the authority to conduct any correspondence that may be required, as indicated in the last paragraph of the enclosure to Mr. Lyttelton's despatch (General) of the 10th November 1905, it is proposed to appoint the Commissioner of Police, Wellington, New Zealand. 5. My Ministers inform me that the delay, which has occurred in furnishing a reply to these despatches, has been occasioned in the absence of any information as to the existence in this Colony of " White Slave Traffic," and they trust that no inconvenience to His Majesty's Government has resulted from this delay I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 7. (No. 48.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 28th June, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (No. 22) of the 26th February last, on the subject of honorary distinctions granted to New Zealand Corps for services rendered during the late War in South Africa. 2. My Ministers desire me to convey their appreciation and thanks to His Majesty's Government for the distinction which has been conferred. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1907, No. 18.
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No. 8. (No. 53.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, sth July, 1907. In continuance of my despatch (No. 62) of the 3rd September last, and with reference to Your Lordship's despatch (No. 64) of the 12th July, 1906, on the subject of Fires in Wool Cargoes, I have the honour to forward herewith copies of the Report of the Commission to which I referred, which has now been laid before Parliament. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1907, No. 6.
No. 9. (No. 58.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1907. With reference to my telegram of to-day, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship copies of Resolutions passed by both Houses of the Legislature upon the subject of New Zealand's designation being changed from the " Colony of New Zealand " to the " Dominion of New Zealand." I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. - Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosures. May it please Your Excellency,— We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Representatives of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, desire respectfully to inform Your Excellency that we have this day passed the following resolution, which we respectfully request Your Excellency to forward to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State: — Resolved, " That this House respectfully requests that His Majesty the King may be graciously pleased to take such steps as he may consider necessary in order that the designation of New Zealand be changed from ' the Colony of New Zealand ' to ' the Dominion of New Zealand.' " A. K. Guinness, Speaker. House of Representatives, Wellington, 12th July, 1907.
May it please Your Excellency,— We, the Legislative Council of New Zealand, have this day agreed to the enclosed address, and we request that Your Excellency may be pleased to transmit the same to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, to be laid at the foot of the throne: — " To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. "Most Gracious Sovereign,— We, the members of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, respectfully request that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased to take such steps as he may consider necessary in order that the designation of New Zealand may be changed from ' the Colony of New Zealand ' to ' the Dominion of New Zealand.' " Chas. C. Bowen, Speaker, Legislative Council. Tuesday, the 16th day of July, 1907.
No. 10. (No. 60.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd July, 1907. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I opened the Third Session of the Sixteenth Parliament of this Colony on the 27th June last. 2. Enclosed I forward, for Your Lordship's information, copies of the Speech that I made on that occasion, together with copies of the Addresses in Reply, from the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.'
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No. 11. (No. 62.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd August, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith, for transmission to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a report by Mr. E. I. Lord of Greymouth, relative to the proposed harbour at Point Elizabeth and embodying information which my Prime Minister was asked to obtain for Mr. W. Graham Greene, Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Wellington, Ist August, 1907. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency, and forwards herewith, for transmission to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a report by Mr. Edward Iveagh Lord, C.E., of Greymouth, relative to the proposed harbour at Point Elizabeth, and embodying information which Sir Joseph Ward was asked to obtain for Mr. W. Graham Greene, Secretary to Lord Tweedmouth, First Lord of the Admiralty. J. G. Ward.
Greymouth, 9th July, 1907. Memorandum re proposed Harbour at Point Elizabeth. The Westland-Grey Coalfield, on the western boundary of which the proposed harbour at Point Elizabeth is situated, has a coal-bearing area of about 40,000 acres, and the ooal lying in situ is estimated to exceed 150,000,000 tons; therefore, it would take 150 years to work out the field at the rate of 1,000,000 tons per year. Taking the present value of ooal f.o.b. Greymouth at 12s. per ton, the cost of winning and mine expense at 7s. per ton, royalty 6d. per ton, and carriage 2s. per ton, we get 2s. 6d. per ton as the value of the coal; and 150,000,000 tons at 2s. 6d. amounts to £18,750,000. The coal-seams outcrop right down to high-water mark of the proposed harbour, and the State coal-mine, known as Point Elizabeth Colliery, is within two miles of it. The ooal outcrops vary from 2 ft. to 20 ft. in thickness, and they contain both bituminous and plint coal of very high quality. The whole of the Grey district is for the most part covered with dense forests of valuable timber, and if the harbour were constructed, a timber export trade would be carried on, which is roughly estimated at not less than 40,000,000 ft. per annum, for twenty years, or 800,000,000 ft., having a money value of £2,400,000. Other natural products from the coal-area above mentioned, including gold, silver, iron, and other metals, may be set down at £850,000, making a total undeveloped wealth of £22,000,000. Is not this sum good enough security for the expenditure of, say, £1,000,000 in harbourconstruction 1 With regard to the quality of the coal for steaming purposes, the Paparoa Coal-mining Company (Limited) have had a Government analysis made of their seams, and Nos. 1 and 2 are of the anthracite class, having 80 per cent, of fixed carbon and 15 per cent, of hydrocarbon. They are practically smokeless, and should be very valuable for use by the Royal Navy. There is another feature worthy of note in connection with this harbour. When the Midland Railway is completed to Canterbury the sea-voyage to the Australian Commonwealth would be materially shortened by making Point Elizabeth the direct port of departure from New Zealand, whilst the springing-up of a large commercial centre and dockyard on the West Coast would tend not a little to benefit the Midland Railway itself. If a harbour can be constructed in this place of sufficient depth and capacity to form a coalingstation for the Australian Squadron, and a dockyard for the same, no time should be lost in bringing it about. The survey required from the Admiralty should be of sufficient detail to obtain reliable data as to how far the proposed harbour is capable of development from a naval and commercial point of view. Point Elizabeth is about seven miles north of the Grey River. The point itself is a limestone promontory, about 130 ft. above sea-level, jutting out into the Tasman Sea, and from its end a chain of detached rocks trend out northward for nearly two miles. If a breakwater were formed by filling up between these rocks, and another breakwater constructed from the Nine-mile Bluff to meet it, an enclosure would be made containing about 1,000 acres of water, the depth at the rocks being from 7 to 8 fathoms, and shoaling gradually shoreward. In making the survey and report the attention of the Admiralty officers should be drawn to the following points, viz. : — (1.) Fixing the relative positions of Point Elizabeth, the Nine-mile Bluff, and the chain of rocks. (2.) Taking soundings of the depths of the ocean outside the line of rocks, between them, and in the proposed enclosure.
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(3.) Ascertaining the strength of the current that runs from south to north along the coast, with a current-meter or otherwise, so as to prove definitely what effect the proposed breakwater would have on the travelling shingle. Would the harbour become a shingle trap, or is the current of sufficient strength to carry the shingle along to the northward, and clear of the entrance to the port. (4.) Ascertaining the nature of the bottom within the enclosure, if it can be easily dredged out, and to what depth? (5.) Reporting generally on the feasibility of the project. (6.) Reporting on the suitability or otherwise of the stone on Point Elizabeth and the Ninemile Bluff for breakwater-construction. (7.) Testing the anthracite coal as to its steaming-powers and smokeless nature. (8.) Preparing a chart of the proposed harbour, showing soundings, best position for breakwaters and entrance, wharves, docks, &c, &c. (9.) Estimating cost of contruction. Edward Iveagh Lord, C.E.
No. 12. (No. 63.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd August, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatches (Circular) of the 29th January and (Miscellaneous) of the 20th February, on the subject of the Royal Commission in England on Shipping Rings or Conferences. 2. With regard to paragraph 4 of your despatch of the 29th January, I am informed that there are no laws or regulations in New Zealand upon this subject, and, if illegal at all, such combinations, discriminations, and rebates as are referred to would be only illegal as being against public policy. There is nothing known of any provision for the registration of Shipping Rings. 3. The Chambers of Commerce were asked to supply the other information desired, and as no reply has yet been received, they are again being pressed by my Government to supply it as soon as possible. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 13. (No. 65.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th August, 1907. I have the honour to transmit, for Your Lordship's consideration, the enclosed copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, upon the subject of the Convention of Rome (Universal Postal Union). I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 13th August, 1907. The Prime Minister sends his respectful compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and begs to recommend that His Excellency move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform the Italian Government through the usual channel that New Zealand desires to ratify the action taken by its representative, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, in authorising the signing on his behalf by the Hon. Austin Chapman, Postmaster-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, of the Convention of Rome (Universal Postal Union), together with the detailed Regulations for its execution, on the 26th May, 1906. . j. G. Ward.
No. 14. (No. 71.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, sth September, 1907. I have the honour to forward the enclosed Petition, for submission to His Majesty the King, signed by T. Taingakawa Te Waharoa and a number of other Natives, praying His Majesty to disallow two Maori Land Acts passed by the New Zealand Legislature.
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2. I drew the attention of Taingakawa (who presented the Petition in person) to the fact that no reasons were given in support of the Petitioners' prayer, and warned him that the Petition was practically valueless without such particulars. 3. In reply he informed me that he had been instructed to have the Petition forwarded at once, but that he hoped shortly to send a document in further explanation. 4. In conformity with the Royal Instructions, I therefore transmit this Petition and with it a copy of a memorandum from my Government relating thereto. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosures. To His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British dominions beyond the seas. May it please Your Majesty,— We, the undersigned aboriginal Natives of New Zealand, humbly pray, — That Your Majesty, who now sits on the throne, to hold fast to the provisions and covenants established by your late mother for her Maori people in the year 1840, under the Treaty of Waitangi and "The Constitution Act, 1852," will exercise your power of disallowing "The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905," and " The Maori Land Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1906," as such laws, together with several others made by the Parliament of New Zealand, are contrary to the terms and provisions confirmed to the Maori by the said treaty and the said " Constitution Act, 1852," above referred to. And your Maori subjects will ever pray. God save the King. T. Taingakawa te Waharoa.
Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 3rd September, 1907. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, in reply to His Excellency's memorandum (No. 53) of the 30th August, respecting the petition to His Majesty to disallow certain Native Acts, begs to observe that the Acts in question are in conflict neither with the Constitution Act nor the Treaty of Waitangi. They are the deliberate expression of the will of Parliament on matters well within its constitutional powers. The petition is returned herewith, and His Excellency will observe that it does not indicate in what respects the Acts in question are unconstitutional. The Prime Minister had no objection to the petition being forwarded, but suggests that a copy of this memorandum be sent with it. J. G. Ward.
No. 15. (No. 73.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 16th September, 1907. I have been requested by the Rev. Dr. James Gibb, on behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the Colony, to forward to Your Lordship, for transmission to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the enclosed letter. 2. The request made is that certain clergymen should be appointed Chaplains to the Fleet, so that the Presbyterian Church should have the same opportunities that obtain with the Anglican and Methodist Churches, and be able to minister to the needs of their co-religionists on board His Majesty's Ships at the four principal ports of New Zealand. 3. If this reauest can be granted under the present regulations, I desire to support the application. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
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Enclosure.
Your Excellency,— St. John's Manse, Wellington, 14th September, 1907. I beg to enclose a letter for the Lords of the Admiral.} 7 , requesting that the persons named in the same, and who have been nominated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, should be appointed chaplains to the fleet, so that when H.M. ships visit our harbours we may be able to minister effectively to the needs of our coreligionists. Since the interview you were pleased to grant me, I have learnt definitely that the Admiralty a year or two ago appointed four Methodist ministers as chaplains, one in each of the principal ports of the colony. I have, therefore, now to ask Your Excellency kindly to forward my letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty, and, if the application meets with your approval, to signify the same in your communication to that official. On behalf of the Assembly, I am, &c, To His Excellency Lord Plunket, Governor of New Zealand. James Gibb.
No. 16. (No. 74.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 21st September, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's telegram, transmitted to me by His Excellency the Governor of South Australia on the 3rd September, stating that the Home Office desired information as to whether the law regarding Juvenile Smoking had proved effective in this Colony. 2. I duly submitted the matter to my Ministers for their consideration and have now received a memorandum from my Prime Minister as to the result of " The Juvenile Smoking Suppression Act, 1903." My Premier's memorandum is enclosed herewith, for the information of the Home Office. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. I Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th September, 1907. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister begs respectfully to inform His Excellency that, in accordance with His Excellency's communication of the 3rd instant, inquiries have been made as to the effect of " The Juvenile Smoking Suppression Act, 1903," in this colony. Since the Act came into operation there have been thirty prosecutions, twenty-five against boys for smoking and five against shopkeepers for supplying. Police officers generally report that the Act has been to a certain extent beneficial in deterring boys from smoking, and checking the indiscriminate sale of tobacco to them; but there can be no doubt smoking in out-of-the-way places still continues, and is likely to unless the Act is made more stringent. At present it only applies to smoking in public places, and there is no penalty provided beyond a fine, which cannot be enforced, as the Act expressly prohibits imprisonment in default of the fine being paid. It is evident, from the absence of boys smoking in the streets as formerly, that the provisions of the Act are well known, and that the boys are now more or less afraid of getting into trouble if they are found smoking; it may therefore be fairly presumed that the Act has proved of some benefit, but it cannot be ascertained with any certainty to what extent it has decreased the consumption of tobacco by juveniles. J. G. Ward.
No. 17. • (No. 79.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd October, 1907. In continuation of my despatch (No. 53) of the sth July last, on the subject of Fires in Wool Cargoes, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship a further Report by the Commissioners, which has recently been presented to the Legislative Assembly. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 8.
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No. 18
(No. 80.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd October, 1907. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that it is shortly intended to erect a memorial at Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, in honour of the great navigator Captain Cook, who spent some time at that spot upon several occasions during his voyages. 2. Local subscriptions and a Government grant will provide sufficient funds to build a substantial monument, but the committee, who have the work in hand, are anxious to secure some Naval Trophy of Captain Cook's time, such as an old Ship's gun and mountings or an old anchor of the period. 3. The Mayor of Picton —which town is in the neighbourhood of Ship Cove —wrote to Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, asking his assistance in obtaining such a trophy, to which His Lordship replied that he would readily do anything that he could to assist so laudable an object, but stated that the request should properly come to the Home Government through the Governor. 4. My Ministers have now formally requested me to bring this request, with which they are in full sympathy, before the Imperial authorities, and I desire to add my personal hope that the Lords of the Admiralty may see their way to grant it. I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 30th September, 1907. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to inform His Excellency that the people of Picton propose to erect a memorial at Ship Cove in honour of the great navigator Captain Cook. The Government are going to subsidise the undertaking to the extent of £1 for £1 up to £100, and a considerable sum of money is already in the hands of the local authorities. It is desired to have a naval trophy of the time, and Lord Charles Beresford has promised to use his good offices in the direction of obtaining it, provided the application is made through the Governor. The Prime Minister, therefore, respectfully requests that His Excellency will kindly take the necessary action in the direction indicated. The correspondence is forwarded herewith for His Excellency's information, which Sir Joseph Ward will be glad to have returned when finished with. J. G. Ward.
No. 19. (No. 81.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 6th October, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (No. 70) of the 2nd August, enclosing a copy of the report of the Conference on the subject of Merchant Shipping Legislation, held between Representatives of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand in March and April last. 2. I duly submitted the matter to my Ministers for their consideration, and have now received the following minute from my Prime Minister with reference to the action which the New Zealand Government propose to take as regards the several Resolutions passed by the Conference. 3. " A Bill is now being prepared to amend ' The Shipping and Seamen " Act 1903,' and it is proposed to make provision in this Bill to give effect to the " resolutions of the Navigation Conference, with the exception of resolution " No. 5 relating to manning. Section 54 of ' The New Zealand Shipping and " Seamen Act, 1903,' provides that all ships engaged in the Home or intercolonial "trade, and whether registered in the Colony or otherwise, shall be manned in " accordance with the scale laid down in the third schedule to the Act, and it is " not intended to propose any amendment in this section." I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies,
A.-2, 1908, No. 6.
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No. 20. (No. 86.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 31st October, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the Ist August last, and to inform you that my Ministers concur in the suggestion of the Army Council to institute a general medal and ribbon for Long Service and Good Conduct in Colonial Forces throughout the Empire. I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908. No. 5.
No. 21. (No. 89.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 9th November, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge your circular despatch of the 6th June last, recommending that certificates of Naturalisation granted by Colonial Governments should contain authenticated signatures of the holders. 2. My Ministers inform me, in reply, that they are prepared to adopt Your Lordship's suggestion and will give instructions accordingly. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. 2.
No. 22. (No. 100.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd December, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 31st July last, on the subject of the Radiotelegraphic Convention. 2. In reply I have to state that New Zealand proposes to adhere to the Convention, but not to the Additional Undertaking of the 3rd November, 1906. 3. This Government desires to reserve to itself the power under Clause 2 of the Final Protocol of designating certain coast stations which shall be exempt from the obligation imposed by Article 3 of the Convention. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. 4.
No. 23. (No. 101.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 10th December, 1907. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that, upon receiving a telegram from the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific upon the subject of the proclamation of the New Hebrides Anglo-French Convention, I have today cabled, at my Prime Minister's request, a reply in the following terms : — " In reply to your telegram received yesterday, my Prime Minister desires " to convey congratulations to you and to French High Commissioner on success "of proclamation of Convention. He is glad to hear of good impression already " created which he is sure will continue to grow." I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
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No. 24. (No. 102.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 11th December, 1907. In reply to Your Lordship's circular despatch of the 17th September last, I have the honour to inform you that, under the New Zealand Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act of 1889, my Government is in a position to claim reciprocity as regards the registration of Icelandic Trade-marks. 2. A copy of the Act is forwarded herewith. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. H.
No. 25. (No. 103.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 14th December, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith a Synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed during the third Session of the Sixteenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, . PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 12th December, 1907. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to forward, for transmission to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a synopsis, prepared by the Law Officers, of the Acts passed during the third session of the sixteenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. J. G. Ward.
Special Report. For the information of His Excellency the Governor, I beg to report as follows: — 1. The synopsis attached hereto contains a list of all the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the session which ended on the 25th day of November, 1907. 2. In my opinion, none of those Acts is repugnant to the law of England, nor (with one exception) was it necessary that they should have been reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon, in accordance with the Royal Instructions of the 26th day of March, 1892. 3. Act No. 79 ("Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Act, 1907") has been reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon, in accordance with the said Royal Instructions, and Act No. 78 ("Chinese Immigrants Amendment Act, 1907") has also been reserved for the like purpose, though not legally necessary, because the original Act of which it is an amendment was reserved. Dated at Wellington, this 2nd day of December, 1907. J. G. Findlay, Attorney-General.
Synopsis of Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the Session ended the 25th day of November, 1907. Public General Acts. 1. "Imprest Supply Act, 1907."—Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year the sums of £581,000 and £12,000. 2. " New Zealand and South African Customs Treaty Ratification Act, 1907."—Ratifying and extending the treaty with the South African Colonies, and the alterations and exemptions in the Customs duties made in accordance with such treaty. 3. "Imprest Supply Act, 1907 (No. 2)." —Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year the sums of £611,000 and £12,000. 4. "Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1907."—Authorising the raising of a loan of £1,000,000 in aid of certain public works and other purposes. 5. "Reserve Fund Securities Act, 1907."—-Author isingi the raising of a sum of £800,000 to be invested in securities to take the place of matured Imperially guaranteed debentures for the same amount. 6. "Trustees Amendment Act, 1907."—Amending section 12 of {he Act of 1891, authorising a Judge of the Supreme Court to make an order for maintenance of children out of trust estate.
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7. "Imprest Supply Act, 1907 (No. 3)."- —Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year the sums of £606,000 and £60,000. 8. " Costley Training institution Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Increasing the number of trustees to five, and making them a body corporate. 9. " Maori Land Settlement Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Authorising the raising of a further sum of £50,000 for the purchase of land, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 1905. 10. " Rotorua Town Act, 1907."—Providing for the management of the Town of Rotorua by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. 11. "Apiaries Act, 1907."—Making provision for the inspection of apiaries, and for the prevention of disease amongst bees. 12. "Police Offences Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Providing for the regulation of boxingcontests. 13. " Tohunga Suppression Act, 1907." —Providing penalties for practising on the superstition of the Maori people by professing to possess supernatural powers. 14. " Foreign Tribunals Evidence Act, 1907." —Providing for the taking in New Zealand of affidavits or declarations for use in the Courts of foreign countries. 15. " Tariff Act, 1907." —Amending the law relating to the imposition of Customs and Excise duties; repealing the existing duties, and substituting the duties set forth in the schedules to this Act. 16. " Imprest Supply Act, 1907 (No. 4)." —Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year the sums of £650,000 and £22,000. 17. " The Methylated Spirit Act, 1907."—Prohibiting the purification of methylated spirit. 18. "Land and Income Assessment Act, 1907." —Imposing a graduated land-tax, commencing with the year ending the 31st March, 1908. In respect of land of an unimproved value of not less than £5,000 but less than £40,000, the rate of tax payable to be in accordance with the schedule to the Act; in respect of land, of an unimproved value of £40,000, the rate of tax payable to be a percentage of Bs. per £100; in respect of every additional £1,000, the percentage aforesaid to be increased by one-fifth of a shilling. In respect of land other than business premises, the percentages above mentioned to be increased by 25 per cent. Tax payable by absentee (as defined) to be increased in every case by 50 per cent, of the ordinary rate. 19. " Coal-mines Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Providing for payment of overtime to miners, and providing also for the attendance at inquests, subsequent to fatal accidents in mines, of a representative of the miners' union, and giving power to such representative to examine witnesses. 20. "Imprest Supply Act, 1907 (No. 5)." —Granting to His Majesty for the service of the year the sums of £656,000 and £14,000. 21. "Land-tax and Income-tax Act, 1907."—Imposing a land-tax and income-tax for the year. 22. " Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1907."—Consolidating and amending the law relating to the adulteration of food and drugs, and prohibiting the sale of adulterated articles. 23. " Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Acts Amendment Act, 1907."—Validating orders made by Registrars of the Supreme Court acting in the place of a Judge of the Supreme Court, in pursuance of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Acts of 1881, 1884, 1891, and" 1893. 24. " Marine Insurance Act, 1907."—A codification of the law relating to marine insurance. 25. " Post-Office Savings-Bank Funds Investment Act, 1907."—Providing for the transfer of £200,000 from the Post Office Account to the Public Account, and for the expenditure thereof in the erection of post-office buildings in Auckland and Wellington. 26. " Hutt Railway and Road Improvement Act, 1907."—Authorising the expenditure of a further sum of £100,000 in improving the Hutt railway and road. 27. " Scaffolding Inspection Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Making further provision for the safety of scaffolding, lifts, and other building appliances, and providing also for the report of accidents on buildings, 28. " Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Act, 1907."—Extending to Justices the power of committing to the Supreme Court for sentence persons pleading guilty on charges of indictable offences. 29. "Police Offences Act, 1907."—Amending "The Police Offences Act, 1884," in various particulars. 30. " Agricultural Implement Manufacture, Importation, and Sale Act, 1907."—Extending the operation of the Act of 1905 until the 31st December, 1908. 31. "Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act, 1907."—Providing for the adequate accommodation of agricultural labourers, and for the appointment of Inspectors in connection therewith. 32. " Government Advances to Settlers Act, 1907."—Making further provision for the Government Advances to Settlers Account and the Government Advances to Workers Account. 33. "Taumarunui Town Council Election Validation Act, 1907."—Removing doubts as to the validity of the election of the Taumarunui Town Council. 34. "Flour and other Products Monopoly Prevention Act, 1907."—Providing for the remission of duty on flour, wheat, and potatoes, when it is found by the Court of Arbitration that the price of these commodities is unreasonably high. 35. "Coal-mines Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Making further provision as to coal-mining leases and as to State coal-mines. 36. "Sea-fisheries Act, 1907."—Making provision for the protection of the oyster industry in the North Island. >
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37. " Butter Export Act, 1907." —Prohibiting the export of butter containing more than 16 per cent, of water. 38. "Defence Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Making various amendments of "The Defence Act, 1886." 39. " Railways Improvements Authorisation Act, 1907." —Authorising a loan of £150,000 for railway-improvements, to be expended in accordance with the Act of 1904. 40. " Statute Repeal Act, 1907."—Repealing certain enactments which have ceased to be in force or have become unnecessary. 41. "Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1907." —Giving power to Hospital Boards to mortgage lands vested in them, and providing that contributory local authorities shall contribute to cost of establishing hospitals. 42. " Infant Life Protection Act, 1907." —Making better provision for the protection of the lives of infants; gives the control of foster-homes for infants to the Education Department; payments in respect of infants to be approved by Department; notice of births to be given to Registrar within seventy-two floury if within a city or borough, or twenty-one days in any other case. 43. " Local Bodies' Loans Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Reducing the rate of interest payable by local authorities on loans from the Government. 44. " Post Office Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Authorising the use of recording-machines for stamping letters and receipts. 45. " Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Providing for the extension of the trout-fishing season at Rotorua in any year to 31st May. 46. "Post and Telegraph Classification Act, 1907." Amending the classification of the Post and Telegraph Department. 47. "Education Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Making further provision for Junior and Senior National Scholarships; repealing provisions as to Queen's Scholarships; and otherwise amending " The Education Act, 1904." 48. " Taieri Land Drainage Act, 1907."—Constituting the Taieri Drainage District and the Taieri Drainage Board. 49. "Beer Duty Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Making provision for licensing the manufacturers of hop-beer; imposing restrictions on the establishment by brewers of beer-depots. 50. "Parliamentary and Executive Titles Act, 1907." —Making alterations in certain titles for the purpose of giving further effect to the Royal Proclamation making New Zealand a Dominion. 51. "Laud Laws Amendment Act, 1907." —Abolishing the lease-in-perpetuity system of landtenure, and substituting therefor a lease of sixty-six years (or thirty-three years in the case of land subject to the Land for Settlements Act), with right of perpetual renewal at a rent to be determined at each renewal; imposing restrictions on the acquisition of land alienated by the Crown after the passing of the Act. 52. " Canterbury College Endowment Act, 1907." —Vesting the Coldstream Reserve in the Canterbury College. 53. "Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1907."—Authorising the Public Trustee, on the order of a Judge of the Supreme Court, to take possession of and deal with property when it is unknown who or where the owner of such property is. 54. " Rangitatau Block Exchange Act, 1907." —Providing for the exchange of certain Crown and Native lands. 55. " Public Service Classification Act, 1907."—Establishing a Board to prepare a scheme for the classification of all branches of the public service not already classified; scheme to take effect so soon as approved by the Governor in Council, and by a resolution of the House of Representatives. 56. " Co-operative Dairy Companies Act, 1907."—Empowers co-operative dairy companies to accept, and in certain cases to demand, the surrender of shares held by members. 57. " Public Health Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Providing for the establishment of consumptive sanatoria and of hospitals for infectious diseases; empowering Health Officers to examine children in schools; and prohibiting the removal of old buildings from one district to another. 58. "National Endowment Act, 1907."—Setting apart certain Crown land as a permanent endowment for the purposes of education and old-age pensions. 59. " Packet Licenses Act, 1907."—Imposing restrictions on the supply of liquor on board ships under the authority of packet licenses. 60. "Stock Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Abolishing the sheep-tax imposed by "The Stock Act, 1893." 61. "Bills of Exchange Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Authorising bankers to destroy all cheques and bills which have been in their possession for ten years. 62. " Native Land Settlement Act, 1907."—Giving effect to the report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into Native lands, as follows: (1) Land reported on by the said Commissioners as not required for occupation by Maori owners to be vested in Maori Land. Board by Order in Council; (2) such land to be disposed of by way of sale and lease in equal shares. 63. " Public Service Superannuation Act, 1907."—Providing a superannuation fund for all branches of the public service not already provided for; Government to subsidise fund to the extent of £20,000 a year. 64. " Fire Brigades Act, 1907."—Repealing " The Fire Brigades Act, 1906," and re-enacting it with modifications. Local authority may obtain Order in Council dissolving Fire Board, and thereupon the Act to cease to operate in the district of such local authority accordingly.
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65. " Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Amending " The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881," in various particulars, and making better provision for the regulation and suppression of gaming, betting, and wagering; provides that Supreme Court may declare premises to be a common gaming-house; restricts the use of the totalisator on racecourses, and provides for the licensing of bookmakers. 66. " Animals Protection Act, 1907." —Consolidating and amending the law on this subject. 67. " Government Railways Department Classification Act, 1907." —Amending the scheme of classification of the Government Railways Department. 68. " Railways Authorisation Act, 1907."—Authorising the construction of certain railways mentioned in the schedule. 69. " Ngatimaru Landless Natives Act, 1907."—Setting apart certain land in the Taranaki Land District as a grant for certain Maoris of the Ngatimaru Tribe. 70. " Purangi Landless Natives Act, 1907."—Setting apart certain laud in the Taranaki Land District as a grant for certain Maoris of the Ngatimaru Tribe. 71. " Water-supply Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Amending " The Water-supply Act, 1881." Provides for the extension of a water-supply district by the inclusion of a road district or part of a road district; provides also for the maintenance by the Road Board of a road, part of which is vested in a county as a water-race, but is not used for such purpose. 72. "Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1907." — Providing for the exchange, sale, reservation, and other disposition of certain reserves, Crown lands, and other lands, and conferring certain powers on certain public bodies. 73. " Factories Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Amending " The Factories Act, 1901," in various particulars; provides for taking a poll for the purpose of determining whether the factory half-holiday and the shop half-holiday shall be observed on the same day of the week. 74. " Shops and Offices Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Amending " The Shops and Offices Act, 1904," in various particulars; provides for poll of electors to determine on what day the weekly half-holiday shall be observed. 75. " Counties Act Amendment Act, 1907." —Authorising the imposition of a sanitary rate in counties, and otherwise amending " The Counties Act, 1881." 76. "Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1907."—Adjusting and protecting claims and interests in Maori lands, and amending the law relating thereto. 77. " Appropriation Act, 1907."—Being the annual grant to His Majesty of the sums mentioned in the Act for the service of the year. Reserved Acts. 78. " Chinese Immigrants Amendment Act, 1907."—Imposing an education test on Chinese entering New Zealand; no Chinese to be allowed to land unless able to read the English language. 79. " Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Amending " The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1904," by repealing section 11 thereof, and thereby enacting that disobedience to a decree for restitution of conjugal rights shall be no longer a ground of divorce; extending the grounds of divorce to include continued insanity, and murder or attempted murder of a child of the petitioner or respondent. Local and Personal Acts. 1. "Auckland Hospital Acts Amendment Aot, 1907."—Vesting in the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board certain properties hitherto vested in the Public Trustee under the Auckland Hospital Reserves Acts. 2. "Gore Streets Act, 1907."—Declaring certain private streets and private ways in the Borough of Gore to be public streets, and imposing restrictions as to new buildings. 3: " Wellington City Empowering Act, 1907."—Enabling the Wellington City Council to make and levy rates to secure special loans raised for the purpose of paying off other loans. 4. " New Plymouth Borough Electric and Waterworks Loans Validation Act, 1907."—Validating certain proceedings taken by the New Plymouth Borough Council in respect of certain special loans, and authorising the Council to raise such loans without further polls. 5. "Nelson Institute Act, 1907."—Incorporating the Nelson Institute, and vesting certain lands in the said Institute for the purposes mentioned in the Act. 6. " Waipukurau County Act, 1907."—Abolishing the Waipukurau Road District, constituting the Waipukurau County, and defining the jurisdiction of the Waipukurau County Council. 7. " Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association Vesting and Enabling Act, 1907."—Vesting certain land for an estate in fee-simple in the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and giving powers of sale, lease, or mortgage in respect thereof. 8. " Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Empowering Act, 1907."—Authorising the sale of certain land in the City of Nelson, and the application of the proceeds thereof in the erection of an old people's home in the said city. 9. " .Petone Water-supply Conservation Act, 1907."—Vesting certain lands in Petone Borough as a reserve for waterworks purposes, and authorising the purchase of certain other lands. 10. "Taranaki Botanic Garden Act Amendment Act; 1907."—Extending the leasing powers of the Board constituted under the Act of 1876, by applying thereto the provisions of " The Public Bodies' Powers Act, 1887." 11. "Wanganui Harbour Act, 1907." —Authorising the Wanganui Harbour Board to raise a loan of £100,000, to be expended in the payment of the principal moneys owing on certain debentures, and in constructing or repairing harbour-works. 12. "Levin Borough Reserves Vesting and Empowering Act, 1907."—Vesting certain reserves in the Levin Borough, and extending the leasing powers of the Levin Borough Council.
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13. " Whangamomona County Act, 1907."—Constituting the Whangamomona County, and altering the boundaries of the Stratford County accordingly. 14. "Thames Harbour Board Act, 1907." —Authorising the grant to the Thames Harbour Board of land situated below high-water mark within the Port of Thames. 15. " Tapanui Hospital Reserve Vesting Act, 1907."—Vesting certain land in the Tapanui Borough for the purposes of a gjonnasium. 16. " Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1907."—Authorising the Otago Harbour Board to raise a loan of £100,000 for the general improvement of the Otago Harbour. 17. " Waitara Harbour District and Empowering Act, 1907." —Constituting the Waitara District, conferring upon the Waitara Harbour Board power to borrow £7,000 for rebuilding bridge over the Waitara River, and validating certain leases made by the Board. 18. " Hastings Recreation Reserve Act, 1907."—Authorising the Hastings Borough Council to lease any portion, not exceeding 10 acres, of Cornwall Park. 19. "Auckland Harbour Board and Birkenhead Borough Empowering Act, 1907." —Authorising the Auckland Harbour Board to convey Little Shoal Baj-, of the Harbour of Auckland, to the Birkenhead Borough for the purposes of a public domain. 20. "Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Making various amendments of the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Acts. 21. "Greymouth Harbour Board Loan Act, 1907."—Authorising the Greymouth Harbour Board to raise a loan of £50,000 for harbour-works. 22. " Mamototo Hospital and Charitable Aid Act, 1907." —Excluding the District of Maniototo from the united district formed from the separate districts of Central Otago, Tuapeka, and Otago. 23. " Waipawa County Act, 1907." —Constituting the Dannevirke County, and altering the boundaries of the Waipawa County. 24. "Wairau Harbour Board Act, 1907."—Constituting the Wairau Harbour Board, and authorising a loan of £5,000 for harbour-works. 25. "Hutt Park Act, 1907." —Vesting certain land for recreation purposes in a joint «standing committee appointed by the Borough Councils of Petone, Lower Hutt, and Eastbourne. 26. "Waipawa Borough Act, 1907."—-Constituting the Borough of Waipawa, and abolishing the Waipawa Town District. 27. "Gisborne Harbour Board Enabling Act, 1907."—Authorising the Gisborne Harbour Board to raise £400,000 to discharge certain debentures, and to construct an outer harbour within the Gisborne Harbour limits. 28. " Makara County Act, 1907."—Constituting the Makara County, and altering the boundaries of the Hutt County accordingly. 29. " Christchurch District Drainage Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Amending " The Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1875," in order to give effect to the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the working thereof. 30. " Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1907."—Consolidating the law relating to the drainage and sewerage system of Christchurch and the surrounding districts. 31. "Whangarei Harbour Act, 1907."—Constituting the Whangarei Harbour Board, and vesting certain property therein. Private Acts. 1. " Saint Andrew's Church (Wellington) Trustees Empowering Act, 1907."—Vesting lands and property hitherto held by the trustees of Saint Andrew's Church, Wellington, in the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees, and making further provisions in respect of such land and property. 2. "Dunedin Suburban Gas Company Empowering Act, 1907."—Authorising the Dunedin Suburban Gas Company (Limited) to continue to supply gas to the Boroughs of Saint Kilda, Mornington, and Roslyn, and to the Caversham Ward. 3. " Otaki and Porirua Empowering Act, 1907."—Authorising the amalgamation of the Porirua and Otaki trust properties, and enabling the same to be held and dealt with by the Porirua trustees for school purposes. 4. "Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property Act Amendment Act, 1907."—Repealing certain schedules of the Act of 1906, and re-enacting other schedules in lieu thereof.
No. 26. (No. 104.) My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, 14th December, 1907. With reference to my despatch (No. 103) of to-day, enclosing Acts passed during last Session, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that a petition, in opposition to the Chinese Immigrants Amendment Act, is in course of preparation. 2. This petition, which in all probability will be signed by a large proportion of Chinese people in the Dominion, will, I am informed, be sent to me within the course of three or four weeks for transmission to the Colonial Office. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 25.
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No. 27. (No. 107.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 17th October last, on the subject of candidates for certificates of competency as Master or Mate being required to show that they possess a knowledge of First Aid to the Injured. 2. The Marine Department of this Dominion is communicating with the Secretaries of the branches of the St. John Ambulance Association at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin as regards those branches affording facilities for instruction and examination of candidates for certificates and it is proposed to make a similar regulation to that made by the Board of Trade to come into force on the Ist January, 1909. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. 18.
No. 28. (No. 108.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's circular despatch of the 25th September last, on the subject of the Foreign Tribunals Evidence Act. 2. My Ministers inform me that'they are submitting your despatch and the copy of rules enclosed therewith to the Chief Justice of New Zealand, with a vieAv to similar rules being framed for adoption in this Dominion. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies
No. 29. (No. 109.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 21st December, 1907. In reply to your despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 28th August last, I have the honour, at the request of my Ministers, to inform Your Lordship that, if possible, the Dominion of New Zealand will be represented at the next Congress of Orientalists, which is to be held at Copenhagen in August 1908. 2. The letter of invitation which Your Lordship enclosed for the University of Otago has been forwarded to the Registrar at Dunedin. 3. I may add that the Otago University, though retaining that title, does not confer degrees. It is affiliated to the New Zealand University, which is the University for this Dominion. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. 8.
No. 30. (No. 1.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd January, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 22nd November last, transmitting to me Letters Patent, constituting the Office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand, together with the Royal Instructions accompanying the Letters Patent, and a Commission appointing me to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion. I have, &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
A.-2, 1908, No. 20.
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No. 31. (No. 6.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd February, 1908. I have the honour to transmit, at the request of my Prime Minister, certain correspondence on the subject of the regulations for candidates entering the British Navy. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 29th January, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and forwards herewith a communication from Sir William Steward which speaks for itself, and desires that His Excellency will kindly communicate with the Imperial authorities with a view to seeing whether the regulations for candidates entering the British navy cannot be amended in the direction indicated by Sir William Steward. J. G. Ward.
Sir, — Waimate, South Canterbury, 13th January, 1908. I enclose herewith a letter from Captain J. K. Bridion, of H.M.S. " Challenger," in reply to a letter from myself forwarding an application by a young man—one of my constituents —to join H.M. navy. The candidate is physically a first-class recruit, just twenty-one years of age, 5 ft. 7 in. high, 40 in. chest-measurement, and well educated, speaking as good English as does Ngata or Mr. Carroll, and I was greatly surprised that his being a full-blooded Maori prevents his acceptance. I certainly think that, in view of the loyal service given to the flag by many Maoris, and the high status of the Maori people, an effort should be made to obtain an amendment of the Naval Regulations ; and I feel sure that if you can secure this, it would be a source of much satisfaction to the Maori population of the Dominion. I feel sure that you will concur with me, and, if so, hope that you will see your way to make representations on the subject to the Imperial Government. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Premier. W. J. Steward.
No. 32. (No. 7.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, sth February, 1908. I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have received a memorandum from my Government in which they desire me to bring the following matter before your notice. 2. The flag, which the Governor of New Zealand flies when on board ship, is the Union Jack with a laurel wreath in the centre, having within it the stars of the Southern Cross. 3. My Government desire, in connection with the change in designation of this country from Colony to Dominion, to substitute a wreath of fern leaves instead of laurel leaves—the flag remaining otherwise as it is at present. 4. According to information in possession of my Ministers, a similar privilege was granted to Canada in 1870, when the maple took the place of the laurel. 5. The fern leaf is universally accepted in this Dominion as the emblem of New Zealand, and I join with my Government in trusting that Your Lordship may find yourself able to lay this request before the King for His Majesty's favourable consideration. 6. I enclose a sketch which illustrates the badge that my Ministers wish to have substituted for the present one on the Governor's flag. I have. &o, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
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Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th December, 1907. Adverting to despatch of the 10th November, 1906 (G.H. 192/1906), in which was enclosed a specimen page of the Admiralty flag-book, containing the New Zealand flags and the Governor's badge, the Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to request that the Secretary of State may be moved to authorise the substitution of the wreath of fern leaves —the emblem of the Dominion of New Zealand—for laurel leaves, as at present shown. J. G. Ward.
No. 33. (No. 9.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 12th March, 1908. . I have the honour to acknowledge Your Lordship's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 15th October last, on the subject of veterinary instruction at the Cavalry School. 2. My Ministers inform me that an endeavour will be made during the coming winter to collect the dried specimens of forage and poisonous plants so far as the limited number of expert officers at the Government's disposal will permit. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies. •
A.-2, 1908, No. 17.
No. 34. (No. 10.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. I have the honour to forward to Your Lordship, at the request of my Prime Minister, the enclosed copy of a letter from the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, suggesting that certain Islands in the Pacific should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Dominion of New Zealand. 2. In bringing it to your notice, I am desired to point out that the matter is of more importance than appears on the surface. Some of these islands will in future supply quantities of copra and it is considered that, if they were included in the Dependencies of New Zealand, monopoly would be prevented. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosures. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th March, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and attaches herewith copy of a letter from Colonel Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands, together with a minute by the Minister in charge, urging that certain islands in the Pacific should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Dominion of New Zealand, and would be glad if His Excellency will bring the matter under the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. J. G. Ward.
Sir, — Wellington, 19th January, 1908. I have the honour to bring before your notice that there are certain islands, the property of the British Empire, situated to the north of the New Zealand islands that ought to be placed under the authority or jurisdiction of this colony, viz. : — Christmas Island and valuable pearl-shell lagoon': Now leased to the Lever Brothers, and, in part, planted with cocoanut palms. Flint Island, east of Penrhyn : Leased to Lever Brothers, and planted with cocoanut palms. Maiden Island: Leased to Grice, Sumner, and Co., of Melbourne; now being planted with cocoanut palms, but is also a guano island. Starbruck Island: Lying waste; and one or two smaller islands in the vicinity. These islands are now under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Western Pacific, but that officer can, by reason of distance and want of communication, exercise no supervision over the said islands. Whatever trade or communication there may be is with Cook and northern islands of New Zealand; and I would point out that we find all the labour used in the islands, »nd therefore have a direct interest in the welfare of those people.
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I am unable to say what term of lease has been granted to the Levers Company, but I submit that it is not advisable that the firm in question should obtain a monopoly of the cocoanut in the Eastern Pacific, I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner Cook Islands.
Hon. Prime Minister. This matter is of more importance than appears on the face. Some of these islands will in the future supply large quantities of copra, and our occupation would prevent monopoly. 19th January, 1908. W. E. G.
No. 35. (No. 11.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. With reference to the third paragraph of my despatch (No. 63) of the 3rd August, 1907, on the subject of the Royal Commission in England on Shipping Rings, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that I have now received from my Ministers the further information which was promised. 2. I enclose a copy of a memorandum from my Prime Minister, furnishing the replies received from the four principal Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, . PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 12th March, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and with reference to G.H. No. 227/1907, containing despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to shipping rings or conferences, forwards the replies received from the Chambers of Commerce at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, which were asked to furnish the required information. Auckland. —The Chamber has no means of obtaining the desired information as to the existence or working of shipping rings, and is of opinion that it can only be obtained from the head offices in London of shipping companies trading to New Zealand. Wellington. —So far as the Chamber is aware, no system of deferred rebates exists in connection with steam services between New Zealand and the United Kingdom and America respectively. Whilst it is generally understood that some of the shipping companies are in concert with a view to the maintenance of reasonable freights, such combination does not appear to have a detrimental effect on shippers or consignees. The services to the Dominion by the various companies are maintained at a high standard of efficiency, and the ruling rates of freight are not coifsidered to be in any way excessive. Christchurch. —The Chamber is unable to reply to the question, but it understands that freights are uniform amongst shipping companies trading to New Zealand. Dunedin. —The Chamber considers it is impossible to answer the questions, as the information could only be obtained by a parliamentary Committee empowered to take evidence on oath. J. G. Ward.
No. 36. (No. 12.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. In my despatch (No. 104) of the 14th December last, I referred to a Petition, which was being prepared in opposition to " The Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Act, 1907," a Bill reserved for His Majesty's assent. 2. I now have the honour to forward to Your Lordship that petition, which is signed by a large number of Chinese residents in New Zealand. 3. I also enclose a copy of a letter which I received with the petition from Messrs. Skerrett and Wylie and Messrs. O'Regan and Dix (two well-known firms of lawyers in Wellington), whom the Chinese employed as their solicitors in this matter. 4. The petition and the letter, to which I have referred, were submitted to my Ministers for their observations, and my Prime Minister's comments are forwarded herewith. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
No. 26.
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Enclosure. To His Excellency the Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, K.C.M.G., Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand. Mat it please Your Excellency,— This humble petition of the undersigned Chinese residents of the Dominion of New Zealand showeth: — 1. That your petitioners comprise the great majority of the Chinese residents of the Dominion aforesaid, and some of them are naturalised subjects of His Majesty and Christians. 2. That the Chinese residents of the Dominion are peaceful, hardworking, and law-abiding. The proportion of law-breakers among them is considerably smaller than among European residents, and practically all offences committed by them are of a minor character. 3. That before being admitted to the Dominion each of your petitioners paid the poll-tax, as required by law. 4. That your petitioners earn their living honestly as miners, market-gardeners, laundrymen, and shopkeepers, and more than two hundred have become naturalised. 5. That during the session of the General Assembly of New Zealand held in 1907, a Bill intituled "An Act to amend 'The Chinese Immigrants Act, 1881,' " was passed, but reserved by Your Excellency for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon. 6. That your petitioners respectfully submit that the said Bill, having been introduced and passed at the close of an unusually long session of the General Assembly of New Zealand, was not fully and adequately considered and discussed; that your petitioners had no knowledge of the introduction of the said Bill until considerable progress had been made with it, and were afforded neither time nor opportunity for placing their protest fairly before Parliament. 7. That such Bill proposes to enact as follows: — (a.) " It shall not be lawful for any Chinese to land in New Zealand until it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Collector or other principal officer of Customs at some port in New Zealand that such Chinese is able to read a printed passage of not less than one hundred words of the English language, selected at the discretion of such Collector or, principal officer: Provided that any Chinese who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Collector or principal officer shall have the right to appeal to a Magistrate, who shall administer such further test in reading the English language as he thinks fit,- and the decision of the Magistrate shall be final. (6.) "Any master of a ship who lands or permits to land in New Zealand any Chinese who has not fulfilled the requirements of this Act shall be liable to the same penalties, and may be dealt with in the same manner as if he had landed or attempted to land without payment having been made as provided by section five of the principal Act." 8. That under " The Chinese Immigrants Act, 1881," every Chinese immigrant to New Zealand was subjected to a poll-tax of £10, in addition to which the proportion of Chinese immigrants travelling on any one ship was fixed at one for every 10 tons of registered tonnage. 9. That by an amending Act of 1888 the proportion of Chinese immigrants per ship was further limited to one for every 100 tons of registered tonnage. As if all this was not sufficiently severe, the General Assembly of New Zealand in 1896 passed a Bill intituled " The Asiatic Restriction Act," the chief objects of which were to raise the poll-tax to £100, to limit the proportion of immigrants to one for every 200 tons of registered tonnage, and to prohibit the naturalisation of Chinese. The measure was reserved, however, by His Excellency Lord Glasgow for the signification of Her late Majesty's pleasure thereon, and it never became law. 10. That when " The Asiatic Restriction Act, 1896," had been reserved as aforesaid, the General Assembly of New Zealand passed "The Chinese Immigrants Act, 1896," the object of which was to increase the poll-tax to £100 and to limit the number of Chinese passengers by any one ship to one for every 200 tons of registered tonnage. That Act was intended as a temporary measure pending the assent of Her late Majesty to the Bill which had been reserved, but, as Her late Majesty withheld her assent from the latter, the said Act of 1896 is still in force. 11. That when the Colonial Premiers met the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Conference on the occasion of Her late Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, the question of alien immigration into the British colonies was dealt with exhaustively. The Secretary of State for the Colonies submitted a draft measure to the Conference of Premiers for submission to their respective Parliaments, with a view, as far as possible, to the adoption of uniform legislation in this connection throughout the Empire. This measure, as adopted by the Premiers, omitted all reference to immigrants of any particular nationality; it contained no reference to the question of naturalisation, and it proposed a uniform writing test for immigrants "in some language of Europe." The evident policy of the measure was to deal with a subject admittedly difficult in the least offensive manner possible in the circumstances, and to avoid undue harshness towards the people of anyparticular nation. "The Immigration Restriction Act, 1899," represents the measure submitted to the Premiers by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as the same was adopted by the Parliament of New Zealand. Section 21 of the Act reads as follows: " Nothing in this Act contained shall apply to Chinese within the meaning of 'The Chinese Immigrants Act, 1891,' but all such Chinese shall continue to be subject to the Act as if this Act had not been passed." This clause was in the Bill as it was first submitted to the House of Representatives, and it clearly shows that the Conference of Premiers and the Parliament of New Zealand considered that, inasmuch as Chinese immigrants were already subject to a poll-tax of £100 and to drastic limitations on the number travelling by any one ship, it was neither desirable nor equitable that they should also be made amenable to a writing test.
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12. That under the law as it exists at present alien immigrants other than Chinese are subject to the writing test aforesaid, which, generally speaking, is in their own language. Chinese immigrants are exempt from the writing test, but are subject to the poll-tax and the limitation on travel already mentioned. If, however, the proposed legislation is approved by His Majesty, Chinese immigrants will be subjected to peculiar hardships, inasmuch as they will be amenable to the poll-tax, to the limitation of the number travelling by any one vessel, and to a reading test in a language foreign to them, and of which they cannot be expected to have any knowledge. 13. That the Bill recently reserved by Your Excellency is directed solely against persons of the Chinese race, and Your Excellency's Advisers expressly stated when the measure was before Parliament that its object was the complete exclusion of Chinese immigrants from New Zealand, and that its probable effect would be the prevention of any further accession to the Chinese population of this Dominion. 14. That your petitioners firmly believe that the effect of the Bill, if it passes into law, will be, as stated by Your Excellency's Advisers, to prevent all Chinese immigration into the Dominion, since practically all the Chinese likely to emigrate to this country must be manual labourers, and, as they have no facilities for acquiring a knowledge of the English language in China, they will necessarily be unable to pass the reading test for which the Bill provides. 15. That the said Bill makes no provision for the re-entry of Chinese residents who, though domiciled in New Zealand, are at present absent from the Dominion, and, though having their homes and property here, will be precluded by the rigorous reading test imposed by the Bill from returning. Moreover, your petitioners would respectfully point out that it is impossible to inform such persons of the provisions of the Bill in time to enable them to return before the same becomes law, if it should in due course receive the assent of His Majesty. 16. That the Bill provides for no exemption in favour of Chinese at present residing in New Zealand, but who may desire to visit China or any other part of the world. 17. That, if the said Bill passes into law, it will .necessarily cause great hardship to those Chinese who are now visiting their native land, all of whom have made their homes in New Zealand. 18. That, if there were any influx of Chinese into this Dominion, your petitioners, though they would feel that they were being unjustly treated, nevertheless would not complain. The Chinese population of New Zealand, however, is steadily diminishing, and there is every reason to believe that it will continue to diminish, in proof of which your petitioners would quote the following figures from the official census returns: — Census Veir - Chinese in U.nsus Year. New Zealand _ 1881 ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,004 1886 ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,542 1891 ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,444 1896 ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,711 1901 .. ... ... ... ... ... 2,857 1906 ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,570 Your petitioners are thus able to show incontestably that for the past twenty-six years there has been a steady diminution of Chinese in this Dominion. Hence, even from the standpoint of those opposed to Chinese immigration, the said Bill is uncalled-for and unnecessary, more especially as the measure adopted by the Premiers' Conference on the suggestion of the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1897 was clearly intended both by the Conference and the Parliament of New Zealand to mark the point beyond which legislation should not advance unless special circumstances made such a course necessary. Your petitioners humbly submit to Your Excellency that, in face of the official figures hereinbefore quoted, it cannot be seriously maintained that any such circumstances have arisen in this country. 19. That your petitioners submit further that the provisions of the Bill are opposed to the well-recognised principles of international comity, and that they amount to an unfriendly act towards the Empire of China, between the Government of which and His Majesty's Imperial Government happily the most cordial relations obtain. Your petitioners would respectfully point out that, if such legislation were attempted in China against the subjects of any foreign State, pressure would at once be brought to secure its withdrawal or modification, and your petitioners humbly submit that other Governments should hesitate to impose on subjects of the Chinese Empire disabilities to which they themselves would strongly object. 20. That your petitioners readily acknowledge and appreciate the many blessings afforded them by living under the British flag, and they particularly appreciate the even-handed justice invariably meted out to them in His Majesty's Courts of law. They are not unmindful either of the kindness and forbearance' observed towards them by the great majority of His Majesty's subjects, from whom they are necessarily separated by difference of customs, language, institutions, and national feeling. Your petitioners feel strongly,' since they find no difficulty in pursuing their respective avocations in this oountry, and that there is not the slightest objection to dealing with them in the ordinary course of business, that they are neither undesirable immigrants nor nearly such unwelcome residents as the provisions of the said Bill would indicate. 21. That, notwithstanding the far-reaching effects and the drastic provisions of " The Asiatic Restriction Act, 1896," there was not the slightest manifestation of popular dissatisfaction when Her late Majesty withheld her assent therefrom, and your petitioners have no doubt whatever that the public opinion of New Zealand will dictate loyal acquiescence in His Majesty's will if His Majesty should see fit to save your petitioners and their countrymen from the hardships fciid indignities proposed by the said Bill.
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Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that Your Excellency may be pleased to place this their petition before His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward the Seventh. Your petitioners realise that His Majesty has during his reign gained a proud pre-eminence for his noble efforts to promote peace and good will not only throughout his vast Empire, but among all nations. They pray that Your Excellency may be pleased to recommend His Majesty to withhold his assent from the Bill which Your Excellency has been pleased to reserve for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure, and that your petitioners may be granted such further or other relief as to His Majesty may seem meet. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
No. 37. (No. 13.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. It is with much satisfaction that I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a memorandum, which I have received from my Prime Minister, stating that the New Zealand Government propose to increase the subsidy made by this Dominion to the Imperial Navy from £40,000 to £100,000 per annum. 2. Your Lordship will observe that my Government, in making this announcement, expressly state that, realising the vital importance to New Zealand and the Empire generally of the Imperial Navy being under the sole control of those responsible for its direction, they do not seek to suggest any conditions regarding the location of His Majesty's Ships in these waters. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and desires that His Excellency will inform the Imperial authorities that the New Zealand Government proposes to increase its subsidy to the 'Australian-New Zealand squadron to the sum of £100,000 per annum after the Ist October next. This date is so fixed in order to give Parliament an opportunity of ratifying what is now proposed. Recognising how important it is for the protection of the Empire that the navy should be at the absolute disposal of the Admiralty, Your Excellency's Advisers do not desire to suggest any conditions as to the location of the ships, as they are confident that the truest interests of the people of New Zealand will be best served by having a powerful navy under the independent control of those responsible for directing it in times of peace or war. What the Government does feel concerned in is that the navy, in whatever part of the world it may be, should be under one control, so that the most effective results for the defence of all portions of the Empire may be assured. It may not be found convenient to alter the present naval agreement, but the £60,000 additional proposed will be paid to the British Government whether the agreement is altered or not. If it is considered necessary to alter the present agreement, Your Excellency's Advisers will be glad to know in what direction this should be done. J. G. Ward.
No. 38. (No. 14.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 17th March, 1908. I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a memorandum, which I have received from my Prime Minister, requesting that, if an opportunity presents itself, this Government should be given the option of acquiring from the Admiralty an obsolete man-of-war for the purpose of training young men for the Imperial Navy and the Mercantile Marine. 2. The facilities, which have been given by my Government to youths for taking up a seafaring life through the New Zealand Training Ship " Amokura " (late H.M.S. " Sparrow "), are undoubtedly appreciated, and the numerous applications to join that vessel go to prove that a Ship with more accommodation is urgently needed.
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3. I desire to join with my Government in requesting Your Lordship to place this request before the Lords of the Admiralty for favourable consideration. I have, &c, The Earl of Elgin, PLUNKET. Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th March, 1908. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and will be glad if His Excellency will inform the Imperial authorities that the New Zealand Government is desirous of obtaining a larger and more suitable ship than the " Amokura " for training purposes, and trusts that if at any time one of the larger ships of the British navy is found to be obsolete, instead of breaking the vessel up, an opportunity will be given this Dominion of acquiring her. It is the wish of the Government to make provision for the training of up to one thousand young men at a time. A proportion of the men thus trained would then be available for manning His Majesty's ships in New Zealand waters. It is also contemplated that the training of young men for the mercantile marine should be undertaken on the New Zealand ships. The advantage of this proposal would be that in times of trouble even those who were engaged in the latter occupation would be sufficiently trained to man His Majesty's ships if required. J. G. Ward.
Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,600 copies), ill 12s. 6d.
Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB
Price 9d.]
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Bibliographic details
DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1908 Session I, A-01
Word Count
14,177DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1908 Session I, A-01
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