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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, A-01

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

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No. ; of Series. Date. Subject. ' Page. 1914. 1 April 2 2 „ 9 3 „ 14 4 ! „ 1.5 5 „ 21 6 „ 24 7 „ 24 8 „ 28 9 „ 29 Lascar agreements .. Ltcrease in price of live-stock New Zealand regiments allied to King Edward's Horse Copyright Act, 1913, of Parliament of New Zealand Interchange of officers between the Imperial Army and the New Zealand Military Forces .. Utilization of labour exchanges in United Kingdom Renewal of arbitration agreements Gold and silver exported from New Zealand, year ended the 31st December, 1913 Assistance of shipping officers in connection with health and insurance of seamen under the National Insurance Act Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1914 Naval Defence Act, 1913, of New Zealand Imperial Copyright Act, 1911 Grants for the encouragement of rifle shooting Severance of the connection of the British Empire with the opium traffic Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill, 1913, of the Parliament of New Zealand Conference on the International Map of the World Enlistment of Army Beservists in New Zealand Permanent Military Forces Annual subscriptions to the International Tariffs Bureau, Brussels International Conference for the Protection of Juvenile and Female Labour Commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Sir Georges E. Cartier New Zealand Staff Cadets, Duntroon, training with the Begular Army at Home, and in India Importation of meat into the United States of America International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea : United States official translation .. Epidemic of smallpox in New Zealand Sp3coh, opening the fourth session of the Eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand Currency of the Oversea Dominions Addresses in Beply from Legislative Council and House of Representatives Care of wives of soldiers of self-governing Dominions whose contributions are paid into the Navy and Army Fund Copyright Certificates of proficieny in radio-telegraphy granted by the Government of India Merchant Shipping Bill introduced into House of Commons Copyrighting of works of which the country of origin is Italy Beport of General Officer Commanding Defence Forces of New Zealand, 1913-14 .. Fund for shooting prizes for men of H.M.S. " New Zealand " .. Health insurance of seamen Conditions of service of ratings transferred for service in H.M.S. " Philomel " Thanks of New Zealand Government for assistance rendered their representative in India .. Eegulations governing use of wireless-telegraph apparatus on merchant ships Copyright Act, 1913, of Parliament of New Zealand Proclamations issued in New Zealand Supplement to the Quarterly Army List of the New Zealand Forces Postage-rates from New Zealand to Samoan territory British control 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 10 ! ,. 30 11 I May 6 12 j „ 6 13 j „ 8 14 ! „ 8 15 | „ 21 16 I „ 21 17 ! ,. 22 18 i „ 22 19 | Juno 15 20 l „ 15 21 j „ 15 22 ! „ 15 23 ! „ 16 24 „ 26 25 „ 26 26 July 3 27 „ 10 28 .. 15 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 13 29 ., 15 30 ,. 16 31 ., 16 32 „ 24 33 „ 30 34 Aug. 19 35 „ 19 36 I „ 22 37 j Sept. 5 38 „ 7 39 „ 16 40 „ 26 41 „ 30 42 ., 30 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 19

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INDEX— continued.

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No. of Series. Date. Subject. Page 43 44 1914. Oct. 12 „ 12 Naval defence Offices of Inspector-General of the Home Forces and Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces to be merged and held by one person Instructions for measurement of vessels for Panama Canal tonnage certificates Congratulations to Field-Marshal the Bight Hon. Earl Boberts, V.C. Visit to New Zealand of Sir Hartmann Just, K.C.M.G., C.B. Foreign Marriages Order in Council, 1913 Society of Comparative Legislation Officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Synopsis of Acts passed during the fourth session of the Eighteenth Parliament of New Zoaland Death of Professor John Shand Employment in United States consulates of former offioers of German and Austro-Hungarian consulates Copyright Act, 1913, of the Parliament of New Zealand Phosphatic deposits Trade representatives appointed by Government of New Zealand in foreign countries Supply of insurance stamps and cards to port authorities in New Zealand " Southern Ocean " Meteorological returns from Barotonga or Niue Extension of the scope of the work of the Imperial Institute Terminal rates in Australia and New Zealand British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914 Death of the Hon. Edward Bichardson, C.M.G. Posters and cards in use in New Zealand for enrolling men in the Expeditionary Force Inquiry forms relating to German subjects Japanese rape-seed Collection of employers' contributions under National Insurance Acts 20 20 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 » 14 ,. 21 „ 21 ,, 21 „ 22 „ 29 Nov. 30 20 21 2! 22 22 22 23 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Dec. 3 2 1915. Jan. 2 „ 22 Feb. 1 1 » 16 Mar. 3 5 5 „ 16 „ 16 , 16 „ 30 „ 31 „ 31 32 33 33 33 33 34 34 34 36 35 36 36 36 36 37 37

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No. 1. New Zealand, No. 51. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd April, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 15, of the 9th January, on the subject of the advisability of securing that changes in the lascar agreement of foreign, vessels occurring at ports in British possessions -abroad should be duly authenticated. 2. In answer to the question raised in the penultimate paragraph of your despatch, I have to state that my Ministers inform me that there is no objection to Superintendents of Mercantile Marine in New Zealand making the necessary endorsement on lascar agreements when any changes in such crews are made in this Dominion, and giving the required certificates. The Government of New Zealand also agree to the fees suggested in your despatch. I have, &c, LIVEKPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 56. Sir, — Government HouseJWellington, 9th April, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 437, of the 7th November, 1913, relative to the desire of the Permanent Committee of the International Institute of Agriculture for particulars in regard to the increase in price of live cattle, sheep, and swine, and of meat, I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with the request embodied in the letters from Mr. H. G. Dering and the Board of Agriculture respectively, copies of which are enclosed in your despatch above mentioned, the desired information has been forwarded direct to the President of the International Institute of Agriculture, Rome. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 58. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th April, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, asking that you will be good enough to lay before His Majesty the King the desire of certain New Zealand regiments to be allied to King Edward's Horse (the King's Oversea Dominions Regiment). If His Majesty is pleased to graciously approve of the alliances mentioned in the Prime Minister's memorandum, all the Mounted Regiments in this Dominion will then be allied to King Edward's Horse. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 7th April, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and begs to request that the Secretary of State for the Colonies he advised that the undermentioned regiments are desirous

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of being shown in the War Office Army List as allied to King Edward's Horse (the King's Oversea Dominions Eegiment):—■ 4th (Waikato) Mounted Eifles. 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles. 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles. Bth (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles. 9th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles. 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles. 11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles. 12th (Otago) Mounted Rifles. If His Majesty graciously approves of these alliances, all the Mounted Regiments in the Dominion will then be allied to King Edward's Horse. J. Allen, For the Prime Minister.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 61. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th April, 1914. With reference to my telegram of the 28th March and to previous correspondence on the subject of copyright, I have the honour to forward to you, at the request of my Prime Minister, the accompanying copies of the recent Orders in Council and regulations under the Copyright Act, 1913, of the Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 66. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st April, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 200, of the 28th May, 1913, and to my despatch, No. 198, of the 24th December last, on the subject of the interchange of officers between the Imperial Army and the New Zealand Military Forces, I have the honour to enclose a copy of a memorandum which I have received from the Prime Minister, expressing the views of my Government on the question, and containing a suggestion for the consideration of the War Office authorities. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. ' Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 14th April, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and respectfully begs that he will communicate with the Secretary of State for the Colonies with a view of his placing before the Army Council the following suggestion in regard to .interchange of officers, having reference to the concluding paragraph of despatch of the 28th May and ensuing correspondence : — It is held that in the case of direct interchanges there would not be any financial difficulties, as the period of service of officers concerned synchronized with the financial agreements, but in the case of indirect interchanges there Would always be difficulties, as the officers sent to the Dominion go there for a period of three or four years, while the New Zealand officers generally remain only eighteen months in the United Kingdom. It is suggested that a simple Way out of the difficulty would be for the War Office and the Dominion of New Zealand to agree to a permanent arrangement by which the Imperial Government Would pay a definite number of New Zealand officers—say, four—on indirect exchange, so long as a corresponding number of Imperial officers were maintained in New Zealand. It is submitted that such an arrangement would simplify the financial question, and that it would be an inducement for the Dominion to send officers to the United Kingdom and to maintain Imperial officers in New Zealand, a necessary factor in promoting an Imperial spirit and keeping the New Zealand Forces up to date. J. Allen, For the Prime Minister.

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No. 6. New Zealand, No. 69. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 24th April, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 297, of the 7th August, 1913, on the subject of the utilization of the labour exchanges in the United Kingdom in connection with the notification of vacancies for employment in. this Dominion. 2. In acknowledging the receipt of the information contained in your despatch, the Prime Minister states that when the report of the Dominions Royal Commission on the question of emigration to the self-governing dominions has been, made, the Government of New Zealand will be pleased to learn whether the Board of Trade proposes to take any further action in the matter. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 71. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 24th April, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 41, of the 27th January, on the subject of the renewal of the arbitration agreements between the United Kingdom and Germany, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, and Switzerland, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of the memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister on the subject, and which formed the basis of my telegram of the 22nd April. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th April, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and will, be glad if he will notify the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reply to his despatch, No. 41, of the 27th January, 1914, that the New Zealand Government concurs with the proposal of His Majesty's Government to renew the existing arbitration agreements between the United Kingdom and Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway, the United Kingdom and Portugal, and the United Kingdom and Switzerland, for a further period of five years. H. D. Bell, For the Prime Minister.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 72. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 28th April, 1914. With reference to Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch of the Bth December, 1898, I have the honour to inform you, at the request of my Prime Minister, that the quantities of gold and silver entered for export from New Zealand for the year ended the 31st December, 1913, were as follows : — G01d—376,161 oz., equal to 11,731-29 kilograms, valued at £1,459,499. 5i1ver—975,616 oz., equal to 30,245-75 kilograms, valued at £103,866. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 9. New Zealand, No. 73. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 29th April, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 40, of the 23rd January, forwarding copy of a letter from the National Health Insurance Commissioners asking that they may receive the assistance of shipping officers at ports in the oversea dominions in connection with the health insurance of seamen under the National Insurance Acts. 2. With regard to the suggestions made in that despatch, I beg to subjoin a copy of a minute, forwarded to me by my Prime Minister, from the Minister of Marine on the subject:— " There is no objection to the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine undertaking the duties referred to herein, but past experience shows that there is really no necessity for the Superintendents in this Dominion to keep a stock of cards and stamps, as they have never been asked for, the masters and pursers of British registered ships always having had what they require. Should the Imperial authorities, however, still desire that the Superintendents shall keep a supply of cards and stamps the Government is quite agreeable to their doing so, and also to their seeing that the masters attach the requisite stamps to the cards in cases where it becomes necessary owing to the discharge, death, or desertion, &c, of the seamen in New Zealand." I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 10. New Zealand, No. 74. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 30th April, 1914. With reference to your despatch of the 27th February, No. 100, on the subject of the Bill entitled Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act, 1914, which is being introduced into the House of Commons by His Majesty's Government, and suggesting that the question of the introduction of similar legislation into the Parliament of New Zealand may be considered, I have the honour to inform you that I am advised by the Prime Minister that it is proposed during the forthcoming session to consolidate and amend the Animals Protection Acts, and that the question of prohibiting the importation of the plumage or skins of birds will be considered when that measure is drafted. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1015. No. 8.

No. 11. New Zealand, No. 76. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 6th May, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 27th February, No. 99, requesting me to inform my Ministers that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance in respect of the Naval Defence Act, 1913, of New Zealand. 2. Six copies of all regulations made by the Governor under the Act will be transmitted to you in accordance with your request. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A-2, 1015. No. 6.

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No. 12. New Zealand, No. 77. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 6th May, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 87, of the j 20th February, forwarding copies of an Order of His Majesty in Council dated 9th February, 1914, varying the provisions of the Order in Council of the 24th June, 1912, under the Copyright Act, 1911, in so far as they relate to Italy. 2. My Ministers inform me that an Order in Council is being prepared dealing with the matter. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1015, No. 2.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 79. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, Bth May, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 94, of the 27th February, requesting i that particulars may be sent you of the grants which have been made by the New Zealand Government during each of the past six financial years for the encouragement of rifle shooting and the maintenance and expenses of Dominion representative rifle teams, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a return giving the information asked for. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 4.

Enclosure. New Zealand. The following grants have been made during each of the past six financial years by the New Zealand Government for the encouragement of rifle shooting and the maintenance and expenses of Dominion representative rifle teams : — , r Amount. Year. £ 1908-9 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,549 1909-10 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,408 1910-11 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,292 1911-12 .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,642 1912-13 .. .. .. .. .. ..1,180 1913-14 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,562 Total .. .. .. .. £9.633 E. S. Heabd, Colonel. For Major-General Commanding N.Z. Military Forces. Wellington, April, 1914.

No. 14. New Zealand, No. 80. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, Bth May, 1914. I have the honour to enclose the accompanying four letters, received by me through the Prime Minister, from the honorary secretary of the New Zealand Association for the Severance of the Connection of the British Empire with the Opium Traffic, addressed as below, containing copies of a resolution in connection with the suppression of the opium traffic in China :— His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury ; The Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ireland ; The Secretary of S J ate for Foreign. Affairs ; and The Secretary of State for India. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies,

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No. 15. New Zealand* No. 89. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 21st May, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 13th March, No. 113, enclosing copies of an Order of His Majesty in Council, dated 9th March, declaring His Majesty's assent to the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill, 1913, of the Parliament of New Zealand. 2. My Ministers inform me that the necessary Proclamation has been issued bringing the Act into force on the Ist May, 1914, since which date it has been in operation. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 12.

No. 16. New Zealand, No. 90. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st May, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 116, of the 19th March, on the subject of a resolution which was passed unanimously at the recent Conference on the International Map of the World, in favour of the establishment of a permanent bureau in connection with the undertaking. 2. My Ministers report that New Zealand was represented at the Conference by Major Richardson, New Zealand Staff Corps, and that arrangements will be made to contribute £6 per annum to the secretarial expenses of the bureau as requested. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A:-2, 1915, No. 13.

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 93. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd May, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 311, of the 15th August, 1913, and to my despatch of the 6th November last, No. 164, on the subject of the enlistment of Army Reservists in the Permanent Military Forces of this Dominion, I have the honour to transmit to you, at the request of my Prime Minister, the accompanying original report respecting two Army Reservists now serving in the Royal. New Zealand Artillery. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 16th May, 1914, Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and begs to refer to Government House despatch No. 818/1913, and paragraph (c) of Downing Street despatch (New Zealand, No. 311). As requested, the Prime Minister has the honour to forward herewith original report respecting two Army Reservists now serving in the Royal New Zealand Artillery, for transmission to the Colonial Office. J. Allen, For the Prime Minister.

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New Zealand Military Forces. Wellington, New Zealand, 12th May, 1.914.

Return of Imperial Army Reservists who are serving in the Royal New Zealand Artillery.

The following special provision has been inserted in the attestation of the above men: " I understand that until discharged from the Army Reserve I am liable to be called for service with the Imperial Forces." J. E. Htjme, Major, R.N.Z A., Commanding Regiment of Royal N.Z. Artillery. The Director of Ordnance and Artillery.

No. 18. New Zealand, No. 94. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 22nd May, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 74, of the 13th February, forwarding copies of communications from the Belgian Minister relative to a suggestion that the annual subscriptions to the International Tariffs Bureau at Brussels, paid by the various Governments which adhered to the International Convention for the Publication of Customs Tariffs of July, 1890, should be increased by 10 per cent, with a view to providing a pension fund for the officials of the bureau. 2. My Ministers have given the proposal their consideration, and request me to inform you that the New Zealand Government agree to increase their annual subscription to the bureau by 10 per cent, for the purposes of the pension fund proposed. 3. In reply to the inquiry contained in the concluding paragraph of jout despatch, my Ministers state that the payment of the contribution of this Dominion to the bureau is made through and by the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 19. New Zealand, No. 102. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 121, of the 20th March, conveying an invitation to my Government to be represented at the International Conference for the Protection of Juvenile and Female Labour, which is to meet at Berne on the 3rd September next, I have the honour to inform you that in a minute addressed to me by my Ministers it is stated " that as the New Zealand Factories Act and other industrial laws afford adequate protection to juvenile and female labour engaged in factories and elsewhere, it does not appear necessary for the New Zealand Government to be represented at the proposed Conference on the subject. The Government will, however, be pleased to receive a report of the Conference when the same may be available." I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 14.

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No. Imperial Service. ._. . ,. R.N.Z.A. Expiration N Corps. of Engagement. Bank a'nd Name. Date of Enlistment in R.N.Z.A. 9333 1223 R.G.A. 18/4/16 1338 R.E. 26/6/14 1385 Gunner Daly, Frederick Gunner Capper, Henry 23/5/13 11/5/14

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No. 20,

New Zealand, No. 104. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the Bth April, 1914, No. 149, forwarding copy of a despatch from His Royal Highness the Governor-General of Canada, enclosing a letter from the Cartier Centenary Committee of Montreal, inviting the Government of New Zealand to send representatives to the ceremony of inauguration of the memorial to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Sir Georges E. Cartier. 2. My Ministers inform me that the New Zealand Government cordially join in with the people of Canada in the desire that the great services rendered to the Empire by Sir Georges Etienne Cartier should be fully and fittingly commemorated, but that the Government regret that it is not possible to arrange for the official representation of this Dominion at the celebration festivities. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915. No. 19.

No. 21. New Zealand, No. 105. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1914. I have the honour to inform you that I have been requested by my Ministers to place before you, for the favourable consideration of the Army Council, the following proposal :■ — It is proposed that the New Zealand Staff Cadets at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, on the completion of their four-years course at that College, should receive training with the Regular Army at Home and in India. They should leave New Zealand so as to arrive in England in March, to take part in company training, and continue attached to the unit until the end of the manoeuvres in September. They should then be sent to India and attached to a unit there, and, commencing with a company training, end their course of instruction with manoeuvres, after which they will return to New Zealand. By this means the Staff Cadets will accomplish two complete trainings in one year. Those Cadets selected at Duntroon for Engineer and Artillery duties will be attached to those respective organizations and carry out the complete annual training in the same way. 2. I shall be glad to learn whether the above-mentioned proposal meets with approval. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

N0.f22. New Zealand, No. 109. Sir,- — • Government House, Wellington, 15th June, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 164, of the 17th April, on the subject of the importation of meat into the United States of America, I have the honour to inform you, at the request of my Prime Minister, that the requirements of the Government of the United States have been carefully noted, that the matter of complying with them is being thoroughly gone into, and that no special difficulty is anticipated in arriving at an arrangement that will be satisfactory to both Governments. 2. A further communication will be forwarded to me with as little delay as possible, showing exactly what my Government propose to do to comply with the desire of the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the importation of New Zealand meat into that country.

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3. I have addressed a similar despatch to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, in reply to his despatch of the 2nd April sent to me direct. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 23. New Zealand, No. 110. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th June, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 146, of the 7th April, forwarding copies of the United States official translation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. 2. In acknowledging the receipt of these copies, my Ministers make the same observations as were conveyed to you in my despatch, No. 87, of the 21st May, and add that " in reference to life-saving appliances the question of making New Zealand rules in accordance with the latest of the rules issued by the Imperial Board of Trade is now under consideration." I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 113. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th June, 1914. I have the honour to inform you that, with reference to the recent epidemic of smallpox in this Dominion, the Minister of Public Health informs me that the date of the last notification of a case of the disease in New Zealand was the sth April, 1914. 2. It is hoped that, as nearly three months have elapsed without a fresh case being notified, there will be no recrudescence of the disease, but I will keep you informed of any developments. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 25. New Zealand, No. 114. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 26th June, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the Speech with which, on the 25th June, I opened the fourth session of the Eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 26. New Zealand, No. 118. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 3rd July, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 122, dated .the 20th March, intimating that the Deputy Master of the Mint is desirous of obtaining information with regard to the currency of the oversea dominions, and enclosing a list of questions indicating the nature of the particulars required regarding the currency of this Dominion.

A.-2, 1915. No. 15.

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2. I accordingly transmit to you the accompanying particulars which have been sent to me by the Prime Minister, answering the questions in the order in which they are enumerated in the list enclosed with your despatch, together with copies of the Banking Acts of New Zealand. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. 1. What is the monetary unit or standard currency ? 2. What coins are legal-tender currency, and to what amount ? 3. What coins (if any) not strictly legal tender are in actual circulation ? 4. Is any form of bank-note, Government currency note, or other paper money current ? If so, please state (a) if legal tender, (6) by whom issued and under what guarantee, (c) if payable on demand, (d) if a reserve of gold is held, and (c) if the paper circulates at a discount. 5. Is any form of currency in use other than coins or paper ? 6. What is the estimated amount of currency in circulation ? Please distinguish between British gold coin, foreign gold coin, local metallic currency, notes, &c. 7. How are supplies of currency obtained, and how is the balance maintained between excessive and deficient amounts of currency in circulation ? 8. What steps are taken to withdraw worn coin from circulation ? 9. What is the rate of exchange for British gold ? 10. What are the legal instruments regulating the currency ? Please attach copies, where possible, of all Royal or local Orders in Council, Proclamations, Ordinances, &c, still in force. 11. Any other information of interest relating to the currency will be useful. 1. The gold sovereign—£1. 2. The coinage of the Royal Mint. Gold coins for a payment of any amount; silver coins for a payment of an amount not exceeding forty shillings ; bronze coins for a payment of an amount not exceeding one shilling (33 and 34 Vict., c. 10, s. 4.) 3. Silver and bronze coins issued by the Australian Mint circulated by travellers between the Commonwealth and the Dominion of New Zealand. 4. Yes; notes issued by the various banks doing business in New Zealand. Each has its private Act, the provisions of which govern the issue of notes, except the Bank of Australasia, whose Royal Charter is equivalent to an Act of the New Zealand Parliament. (a.) No. (b.) Bank of New Zealand; Bank of Australasia; National Bank of New Zealand (Limited); Bank of New South Wales; Union Bank of Australia (Limited); Commercial Bank of Australia (Limited). As a first charge on all the property of the bank, including paid-up capital, uncalled capital, and reserve funds. (c.) Yes, in gold only, at the office of the bank at the place of issue. (d.) Yes. It is provided that the total notes issued in New Zealand and outstanding shall not exceed the amount of coin, bullion, and public securities which shall be held in New Zealand ; nor shall the proportion of coin be less than one-third part of the amount of the coin, bullion, and public securities held by the bank in New Zealand. (c.) At par. 5. No. 6. Coin, £5,153,209 ; notes, £1,666,939 ; bills, £102,442 ; bullion, £164,651. (New Zealand Gazette, 21st May, 1914.) 7. Gold coin is imported as required, chiefly from Australia, at the cost of the bank requiring it. Silver and bronze is imported from London, the Royal Mint bearing all charges to port of destination. 8. Worn and mutilated silver coin is withdrawn from time to time by the New Zealand Government on behalf of the Royal Mint, who pay the full face value of the coin so withdrawn. No provision is made for the withdrawal of worn gold coin, and a large amount is consequently in circulation. 9. Par. 10. Banking Acts attached.

No. 27. New Zealand, No. 125. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 10th July, 1914. With reference to my despatch, No. 114, of the 26th June, transmitting copy of the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament on the 25th June, I have the honour to forward herewith the accompanying copies of the Addresses

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in Reply which I have received from the Legislative Council and from the House of Representatives. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 28. New Zealand, No. 127. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th July, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 177, dated the 30th April, relative to the case of the wives of soldiers serving under the Governments of the self-governing dominions whose contributions are paid into the Navy and Army Fund. 2. My Ministers inform me that, in compliance with the wish expressed by the Army Council, the New Zealand Government will pay the maternity benefit in such cases, and will recover any amounts so paid, through the High Commissioner, from the National Health Insurance Commissioners. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 27.

No. 29. New Zealand, No. 128. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 15th July, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 166, of the 20th April, on the subject of copyright. 2. My Prime Minister desires me to express the pleasure of the Government of New Zealand at the issue and publication of the signed certificate which you have given, in accordance with section 25 (2) of the Imperial Copyright Act, 1911, regarding the legislation of the Dominion on the subject of copyright. 3. Ministers have duly noted the extension of the Act to the Island of Cyprus and to Weihaiwei, and to the British protectorates mentioned in paragraph 3 of your despatch. 4. The amendment of the New Zealand Act to make the necessary provision for copyright in New Zealand with regard to works of or residents in those places will receive the earnest consideration of the Government, though it is doubtful whether an opportunity will occur of introducing legislation on the subject during the current session. 5. The Prime Minister also acknowledges with thanks the copy of the note, enclosed in your despatch, informing the Swiss Government of the accession of this country to the Berne Copyright Convention of 1908. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 25.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 129. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th July, 1914. I have the honour to inform you, in reply to the inquiry made in your despatch, No. 207, of the 15th May, that the Government of New Zealand agree to recognize the certificates of proficiency in radio-telegraphy granted by the Government of India. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 34.

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No. 31. New Zealand, No. 130. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th July, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th May, No. 237, forwarding copies of a Merchant Shipping Bill which has been introduced into the House of Commons to enable His Majesty's Government to give effect to the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. 2. With regard to the wish expressed in the concluding paragraph of your despatch, I beg to refer you to the observations conveyed in my despatch, No. 87, of the 21st May, from which you will have learned that my Government do not consider it advisable that New Zealand should adhere to the convention, at any rate for the present. 3. My Ministers inform me that they still adhere to that opinion, and that in these circumstances they do not propose to take steps to introduce into the New Zealand Parliament a Bill on the lines of the Imperial Merchant Shipping (Convention) Bill, 1914. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 32. New Zealand, No. 137. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th July, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 87, of the 20th February, and to my despatch, No. 77, of the 6th May, on the subject of the copyrighting of works of which the country of origin is Italy, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of an Order in Council, dated the 29th June, 1914, made in this Dominion in connection with the matter. Ifhave, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt,^P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the^Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 2.

Enclosure. Modification of Order in Council under Section 33 of the Copyright Act, 1913, in so far as it relates to Italy. Liverpool, Governor. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House at Wellington, this twenty-ninth day of June, 1914. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. Whereas by Order in Council dated the twenty-seventh day of March, one thousand nine hundred and fourteeen, and published in the Gazette of the first day of April, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting under the authority conferred on him by section thirty-three of the Copyright Act, 1913 (hereinafter referred to as " the said Act"), has extended the said Act, inter alia, — (a.) To works first published in Italy, in like manner as if they had been first published within New Zealand; (b.) To literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works the authors whereof were at the time of the making of the works subjects or citizens of Italy, in like manner as if the authors had been British subjects; (c.) In respect of residence in Italy, in like manner as if such residence had been residence in New Zealand, — subject to the provisions set out in the said Order : And whereas it is, inter alia, provided in the first proviso to clause (2) of the said Order that paragraph (d) of subsection two of section three and section twenty-five of the said Act, and such other provisions thereof as confer upon the owner of the copyright in a literary, dramatic, or musical work the exclusive right of making any record, perforated roll, cinematograph film, or other contrivance by means of which the work may be mechanically performed, and such other part or parts thereof as confer copyright in any record or perforated roll, shall not apply in the case of any work of which the country of origin is Italy:

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And, whereas it is desired to vary the said Order in Council in manner hereinafter set forth : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, and in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred upon him by section twenty-nine of the said Act, and of all other powers enabling him in this behalf, doth hereby vary the said Order in Council, in the manner hereinafter set forth, and doth hereby declare that— (1.) The provisions of the first proviso to clause (2) of the said Order are hereby revoked so far as they relate to works of which the country of origin is Italy. (2.) in the application of the provisions of clause (3) of the said Order to works of which the country of origin is Italy, the reference to the commencement of the said Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the commencement of this Order. (3.) In the application to works of which the country of origin is Italy of paragraph (d) of subsection two of section three and section twenty-five of the said Act, the references to the commencement of the said Act in subsections seven and eight of the said section twenty-five shall be deemed to be references to the commencement of this Order. (4.) Where any person has, before the date of this Order, taken any action whereby he has incurred any expenditure or liability in connection with the reproduction or performance of any work at a time when such reproduction or performance would, but for the making of this Order, have been lawful, nothing in this Order shall diminish or prejudice any rights or interest arising from or in connection with such action which are subsisting or valuable at the said date, unless the person who by virtue of this Order becomes entitled to restrain such reproduction or performance agrees to pay such, compensation as, failing agreement, may be determined in accordance with the provisions of the said Act. (5.) This Order shall come into operation on the first day of June, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, which date is in this Order referredjfco as the commencement of this Order. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 33. New Zealand, No. 141. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 30th July, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the report of the General Officer Commanding the Defence Forces of New Zealand, for the period from the 20th June, 1913, to the 25th June, 1914. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

N0.*34. New Zealand, No. 147. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th August, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 240, of the 3rd June, on the subject A. of a fund subscribed by the people of Christchurch, the interest on which is to be devoted to shooting prizes for the men. of H.M.S. " New Zealand," I have the honour to inform you that the Mayor of Christchurch has been advised in the terms of the letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of which was enclosed in your despatch. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 35. New Zealand, No. 148. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th August, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 274, a.of the 26th June, forwarding copy of a letter from the National Health Insurance Commission on the subject of the health insurance of seamen. 2. My Ministers acquaint me that there is no objection whatever to the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine in New Zealand undertaking the duties of getting

.-2 1915. No. 44.

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a supply of stamps and cards as desired, and of seeing that the stamps are properly attached when seamen who come under the scheme are discharged in New Zealand. 3. The ports to which the stamps and cards should be supplied are as follows : Auckland, Napier, Wanganui, Kaipara, Lyttelton, Oamaru, Invercargill, Westport, Picton, Gisborne, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hokianga, Timaru, Dunedin, Greymouth, Nelson. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 36. New Zealand, No. 154. Siß,— Government House, Wellington, 22nd August, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 242, of the 4th June, on the subject of the conditions of service (other than, rates of pay) of ratings transferred for service in H.M.S. " Philomel," I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a communication addressed to me by my Prime Minister, together with, the copies of the form of agreement mentioned therein. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., See., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, sth August, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Conditions of Service of Ratings transferred to H.M.S. " Philomel." The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, with further reference to the letter dated 4th June last, from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, transmitting letter N. 1611 of the 30th May, 1914, from the Admiralty, respectfully begs to forward for His Excellency's information the accompanying copies of the form of agreement containing the conditions of service, &c, of volunteers from the Active Service List of the Royal Navy for temporary service in the Naval Forces of New Zealand. It will be noted that the regulations applying to similar service in the Royal Australian Navy have been applied as far as possible ; also, the Australian rates of active and deferred pay have been adhered to in their entirety. It will be noted further that the rules adopted in the Australian Navy as regards alternative passage for men's wives and families in lieu of their own passage Home have been adopted, and that allowances for uniforms and victualling have been included at the same rates as in Australia. The officer authorized to countersign these agreements is Captain P. H. Hall Thompson, R.N., Commanding Officer of H.M.S. " Philomel." As regards the concluding part of paragraph 4 of the Admiralty's letter, my Government concurs in the suggestion made therein, and proposes to follow the practice obtaining as regards Australia. J. Allen, For the Prime Minister.

N0.f.37. New Zealand, No. 157. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, sth September, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum addressed to me by my Prime Minister, expressing the thanks and appreciation of the Government of New Zealand for the assistance rendered to their representative in India in the past, and asking that similar assistance may be given to Messrs. Landale and Clark (Limited), of Calcutta, who are now undertaking the duties of supervision of sterilization of animal-manure formerly carried out by a representative of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, . Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 2nd September, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and would be glad if His Excellency will kindly conveyto the Imperial authorities the thanks and appreciation of the Government of this Dominion for the assistance rendered to their representative in India in the past, and desires that the same assistance may be accorded to Messrs. Landale and Clark (Limited), of Calcutta, the firm who are now taking up the duties of supervision of sterilization of animal-manure, formerly carried out by the representative of the Department of Agriculture of this Dominion. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister.

No. 38. New Zealand, No. 159. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 7th September, 1914. With reference to my despatch, No. 145, of the 28th August, 1913, and to previous correspondence on. the subject of the making of regulations to govern the use of wireless-telegraph apparatus on merchant ships while within territorial waters, I have the honour to inform you, at the request of my Prime Minister, that regulations have now been made, under the authority of section 9 of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1913, governing the use of such apparatus on merchant ships not registered in New Zealand while such ships are within the territorial waters of this Dominion. 2. A copy of the regulations is enclosed. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Regulations for Control of Ships carrying Wireless-telegraph Apparatus while within Territorial Waters oj New Zealand. Liverpool, Governor. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House at "Wellington, this thirteenth day of July, 1914. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. Wherea,s by section nine of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1913 (hereinafter termed " the said Act "•), it is provided that the Governor may from time to time by Order in Council make such regulations as he thinks proper governing the use of wireless-telegraph apparatus on merchant ships, whether foreign ships or British ships not registered in New Zealand, while within the territorial waters of New Zealand, and that such regulations may provide for the detention of any merchant ship on which a breach of the regulations has been made pending the institution and determination of proceedings in respect of such breach and the recovery of any fine imposed in respect thereof: Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the power and authority conferred upon him by the said Act, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby make the following regulations ; and doth hereby order that such regulations shall have effect on and from the date of publication of this Order in Council in the New Zealand Gazette. Regulations. 1. In these regulations, if not inconsistent with the context, — " Territorial waters of New Zealand " means and includes all tidal waters included within the Dominion of New Zealand, and all parts of the open sea within one marine league of the coasts of that Dominion measured from low-water mark : " Minister of Telegraphs " means the Minister of Telegraphs for the time being : " Wireless telegraphy " has the same meaning as in section 162 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908: " Telegraph " has the same meanirg as in section 119 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908 : " Naval signalling " means signalling by means of any system of wireless telegraphy between two or more ships of His Majesty's Navy, between ships of His Majesty's Navy and naval stations, or between a ship of His Majesty's Navy or a naval station and any other station, whether a coast station or a ship station : " The Admiralty " means the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: " Coast station " means a wireless-telegraph station which is established on land or on board a ship permanently moored, and which is open for the service of correspondence between the land and ships at sea :

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" Ship station " means a wireless-telegraph station established on board a ship which is not permanently moored. 2. These regulations shall apply only to foreign merchant ships and to British merchant, ships not registered in New Zealand, while such British or foreign ships are within the territorial waters of New Zealand. 3. All apparatus for wireless telegraphy on board a merchant ship while in. the territorial waters of New Zealand shall be worked in such a way as not to interfere with Naval signalling, or with the working'of any wireless-telegraph station lawfully established, installed, or Worked in the Dominion of New Zealand or the territorial waters thereof ; and, in particular, the said apparatus shall, be so worked' as not to interrupt or interfere with the transmission of messages between wireless-telegraph stations established on ships at sea and wireless-telegraph coast stations. 4. No apparatus for wireless telegraphy on board a merchant ship shall be worked or used while such ship is in any of the harbours of the Dominion of New Zealand, except with the consent in writing of the Minister of Telegraphs. 5. The foregoing regulations shall not apply to the use of wireless telegraphy for the purpose of making or answering signals of distress. 6. If and whenever an emergency shall have arisen in which it is expedient in the public interest that His Majesty's Government shall have control over the transmission of messages by the said apparatus, it shall be lawful for any officer of His Majesty's Navy or Army, or for any other person authorized in that behalf by the Admiralty, or by the Minister of Telegraphs, to take possession of or to cause the said apparatus or any part thereof to be taken possession of in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, and to he used for His Majesty's service and subject thereto for such ordinary services as to the said officer or person may seem fit; and in that event any person authorized by the said officer or person may enter upon any ship on which such apparatus is installed and take possession of the said apparatus and use the same as aforesaid. 7. Any such officer or person may in such event as aforesaid, instead of taking possession of the said apparatus as aforesaid, direct and authorize such persons as he may think fit to assume the control of the transmission of messages by the said apparatus, either wholly or partly, and in such manner as he may direct, and such persons may enter upon any ship on which the said apparatus is installed accordingly ; or the said officer or person may direct the person or persons in charge of the said apparatus to submit to him, or any person authorized by him, all messages tendered for transmission or arriving by the said apparatus, or any class or classes of such messages, to stop or delay the transmission of any messages, or deliver the same to him or his agent, and generally to obey all such directions with reference to the transmission of messages as the said officer or persons may prescribe, and the said person or persons in charge of the said apparatus shall obey and conform to all such directions. 8. If any breach of these regulations is committed by any person on board any ship while in the territorial waters of New Zealand, the person so committing the same and the owner and master of the ship shall be severally liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100. 9. Whenever the Minister of Telegraphs or the Secretary of the Post Office has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that any breach of these regulations has been committed on board -any ship while in the territorial waters of New Zealand, he may give notice in writing to the Collector of Customs at any port in New Zealand to detain the ship, under section 9 of the Post and Telegraph Amendment Act, 1913, until the sum of £100, or such smaller sum as may be specified in the notice, has been deposited with the Collector by or on behalf of the owner of the ship. 10. If on the receipt of that notice, or at any time within three months thereafter, the ship is found within such port, the Collector of Customs shall withhold the certificate of clearance of the ship, under section 35 of the Customs Act, 1913, until and unless the aforesaid sum is deposited with him or the aforesaid notice of detention is withdrawn. 11. If within six months after the date of the offence in respect of which the ship has been detained a conviction for that offence is obtained against any person, the sum so deposited shall be available for the satisfaction of any fine and costs imposed or awarded by the conviction, and the residue, if any, shall be returned to the person by whom the deposit was made. 12. If within the period of six months aforesaid no such conviction is obtained, the sum so deposited shall be returned to the person by whom it was deposited. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 39. New Zealand, No. 161. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th September, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 272, of the 26th June, on the subject of regulations and Orders in. Council under the Copyright Act, 1913, of the New Zealand Parliament, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum which I received from my Prime Minister on the 15th September, containing the Government's reply to the observations made by the Board of Trade. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 2nd September, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and, with reference to the despatch (Regd. No. 768/1914) on the subject of regulations arid Orders in.Council under the New Zealand Parliament's Copyright Act, 1913, would be glad if the thanks of his Government could be conveyed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for calling attention to certain modifications it may be desirable to make in the Order in Council relating to foreign countries, and if he could be informed that they will he duly effected so far as they relate to Article 2, proviso iii (c), regarding the inclusion of the words " New Zealand or," and Article 2, proviso iii (g), with respect to the insertion of the " first " instead of the " twenty-sixth " July. With regard to musical works of Austria-Hungary, the Prime Minister agrees that some provision appears to be necessary, but while the present relations exist between the two countries nothing can apparently be done in the matter. With regard to the concluding paragraph of the despatch, the Prime Minister begs to direct attention to despatches Regd. Nos. 308 and 313 of 1914, and to his memorandum of the 14th July, last, forwarding copies of the Order in Council relating to Italian copyright, in the making of which the matters to which the Secretary of State for the Colonies calls attention appear to have been duly observed. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister.

No. 40. New Zealand, No. 162. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th September, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of Proclamations issued in this Dominion from the 3rd August to the 15th September, both dates inclusive, making provision for certain contingencies arising out of the present war. 2. I also enclose copies of Acts which it has been found necessary to pass owing to the existence of a state of war. 3. Further copies of the Proclamations and of the Acts will be sent to you by a later mail. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 41. New Zealand, No. 166. Sir, — Government House.. Wellington, 30th September, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Supplement to the Quarterly Army List of the New Zealand Forces for the month of October, 1914, showing the officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 167. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 30th September, 1914. With reference to my despatch, No. 164, of the 26th September on the subject of the postage-rates on postal matter sent from this Dominion to that portion of the Samoan territory now under British control, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum addressed to me by the Prime Minister notifying the postage-rates on correspondence, including parcels, sent from Samoa to different parts of the world. 2. The'copy of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Guide referred to in the memorandum is enclosed. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 24th September, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Postage-rates from British Samoa. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency, and begs to recommend, in connection with h s memorandum of the 17th instant, that the postage-rates on correspondence, including parcels, for all parts of the world from that portion of the Samoan territory now under British control be fixed at the rates obtaining in New Zealand for such places. A copy of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Guide for February, 1914, forwarded herewith, gives these rates on pages 8 to 47 inclusive and pages 194 to 251 inclusive. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister.

No. 43. New Zealand, No. 172. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th October, 1914. With reference to your despatch, No. 320,, of the 28th July, regarding the suggestion of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia that the question of naval defence should be discussed in 1915 at a Conference at which all the selfgoverning dominions should be represented, I have the honour to inform you, by request of my Prime Minister, that the Government of New Zealand are prepared to be represented at any Naval Conference to be held in 1915 or on a later date. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915, No. 47.

No. 44. New Zealand, No. 173. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th October, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 339, of the 6th August, in which you request me to inform my Ministers that it has been decided that the two offices of Inspector-General of the Home Forces and Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces should again be merged and held by one officer with the title of Inspector-General of the Forces, and that the appointment of General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterannean Command, shall be allowed to lapse. 2. My Ministers ask me to inform you that should any inspection of the New Zealand Military Forces be desired at any time they will be pleased to avail themselves of the offer of His Majesty's Government, outlined in paragraph 2 of your despatch under reference. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2. 1915, No. 50.

No. 45. New Zealand, No. 178. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 14th October, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 335, of the 6th August, forwarding copies of instructions which have been 'issued by the Board of Trade to their Surveyors respecting the measurement of vessels for Panama Canal tonnage certificates.

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2. My Ministers inform me that copies of the instructions are being printed for circulation amongst the Superintendents of Marine and Collectors of Customs in New Zealand, in casejships in this Dominion may require to obtain Panama Canal tonnage certificates. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon.. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.^

No. 46. New Zealand, No. 180. Sir, —■ Government House, Wellington, 21st October, 1914. I have the honour to you,|for transmission to Field-Marshal the Right Hon. Earl Roberts, V.C., the accompanying copies of a resolution passed on the 30th September, 1914, Legislative of New Zealand, together with copies of a communication addressed to me by the Speaker of the Council on the subject. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. jHarcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the

Enclosure. Wellington, 9th October, 1914. The Speaker of the Legislative Council presents his respectful compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and begs to enclose two copies of a resolution passed by the Legislative Council on the 30th September, 1914. The Speaker, on behalf of the Legislative Council, respectfully requests that Your Excellency may be pleased to cause this resolution to be communicated to Earl Roberts through the Secretary of State for the Colonies. W. Carncross, Acting-Speaker. Copy of Resolution. —Resolved, That the Legislative Council of New Zealand, on the occasion of the eighty-second anniversary of the birth of Earl Roberts, Colonel-in-Chief of the Forces of His Majesty's Possessions beyond the Seas, desire to recognize the splendid service which His Lordship has rendered to the Empire in the past, and to express its hope that he may be spared for many years to come to command the New Zealand soldiers, who are proud to have the privilege of serving under him.

No: 47. New Zealand, No. 182. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 21st October, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 369, dated the 28th August, relative to the recent visit to this Dominion of Sir Hartmann Just, K.C.M.G., C.8., Senior Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. 2. I duly conveyed to my Ministers an expression of your appreciation of the facilities accorded to Sir Hartmann Just during his stay in this Dominion, and they have asked me, when acknowledging the receipt of your despatch, to state that the Government of New Zealand desires to express its sense of the advantage derived from visits to the Dominion of distinguished officials of the Colonial Office. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 48. New Zealand, No. 183. • Sir, — . Government House, Wellington, 21st October, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 345, of the 12th August, calling attention to certain questions which have arisen regarding the meaning of Article 10 of the Foreign Marriages Order in Council, 1913. 2. In compliance with your request I brought the matter under the notice of my Ministers, and I have received a minute, addressed to the Prime Minister by the Minister of Internal Affairs, which reads as follows : " With reference to the request contained in paragraph 6 of the Secretary of State's despatch, Registrars of Marriages in New Zealand are not empowered to issue certificates required by Article 10 of the Foreign Marriages Order in Council, as it has not been found necessary to bring that Order in Council into effect in New Zealand." I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 49. New Zealand, No. 186. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 22nd October, 1914. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 296, of the 10th July, relative to the. useful work which is being carried out by the Society of Comparative Legislation. 2. I transmitted your despatch, and the society's memorandum which accompanied it, to my Ministers, as desired, and I have received a memorandum from the Prime Minister in which he states that he has had pleasure in discussing the matter with his colleagues. He informs me, further, that the Government of New Zealand is a regular subscriber of £5 ss. per annum to the society, and that the High Commissioner for New Zealand has this year been advised that the Government approves the proposal to extend the scope of the society's publication. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 50. New Zealand, No. 189. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 29th October, 1914. With reference to your telegram of the 20th, October, requesting that lists may be sent you showing the regiment, rank, Christian names, &c, of officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, I have the honour to enclose copies of the Supplement to the Quarterly Army List of the New Zealand Forces for the month of October, which contains the particulars asked for, with the exception of the dates of embarkation. With regard to the latter, the Advance Party for Samoa embarked on the 14th August, 1914, and the Main Expedition for Europe embarked on the 24th September, 1914, sailing from Wellington on the 16th October, 1914. 2. I may add that copies of the Supplement referred to accompanied my despatch, No. 166, of the 30th September last, but it will be observed that the copies now sent you contain certain corrections. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 51. New Zealand, No. 211. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 30th November, 1914. At the request of my Prime Minister, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying synopsis, prepared by the Attorney-General of this Dominion, of the Acts passed during the fourth session of the Eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosures. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 23rd November, 1914. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to forward herewith, for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a synopsis, prepared by the Hon. the Attorney-General, of the Acts passed during the fourth session of the Eighteenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with the Acts duly authenticated with the seal of the Dominion.. H. D. Bell, For the Prime Mini&ter.

Report on Legislation passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the Session ended on the sth Day op November, 1914. Fob the information of His Excellency the Governor, I beg to report as follows : — I. The synopsis attached hereto relates to the Acts passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand during the session which ended on the sth day of November, 1914. 11. In my opinion none of the said Acts is repugnant to the law of England. Dated at Wellington, this 20th day of November, 1914. A. L. Herdman, Attorney-General. Synopsis op Acts passed by the General Assembly op New Zealand during the Session ENDED ON THE sth DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1914. Public Acts. 1914, No. 1. The Imprest Supply Act, 1914.—This Act applies the sum of .£959,000 out of the Public Account, and the sum of ,£15,000 out of other specified accounts, for the service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 2. ' The Imprest Supply Act, 1914 (No. 2).—This Act applies the sum of £961,000 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £15,000 out of other specified accounts, for the service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 3. The Land-tax and Income-tax Act, 1914.—This Act provides for the imposition of a land-tax and of an income-tax, at specified graduated rates, for the use of His* Majesty for the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 4. The Banking Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 2 empowers the Governor in Council by Proclamation to declare that bank-notes issued by any bank, named in the Proclamation shall be legal tender for a period to be specified in the Proclamation. Section 4 provides a State guarantee of such notes for a period of six months after the period fixed by the Proclamation. Section 6 prohibits the export of gold during such fixed period without the consent of the Minister of Finance. 1914, No. 5. The Banking Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This Act applies the provisions of the Customs Acts relating to forfeiture, to gold exported or attempted to be exported from New Zealand in breach of the provisions of the Act referred to in the last preceding paragraph. 1914, No. 6. The Regulation of Trade and Commerce Act, 1914.—Sections 2 to 23 provide for the fixing by the Governor in Council of a maximum price at which goods may be sold in New Zealand during the war, and impose penalties for breaches of the Act. Section 24 empowers the Governor in Council to prohibit the exportation during the war of any goods the exportation of which is deemed necessary to be prohibited. Section 25 provides for the suspension or modification of any provisions of the labour laws during the war. Sections 26 to 33 enable the Government to commandeer any goods for the use of His Majesty during the war on payment of compensation. Section 34 authorizes the setting-up of a Commission to advise the Government as to the •xercise of the foregoing powers.

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Section 35 (giving effect in New Zealand to an Imperial Order in Council relating to trading with the enemy) has been repealed by the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914 (No. 40). 1914, No. 7.—The Mortgages Extension Act, 1914. —This Act is intended to prevent the exercise of powers of sale by mortgagees during the war without leave of the Supreme Court. Such leave is not to be granted so long as interest is paid within such time as the Court fixes. The provisions of the Act are extended to agreements for sale and purchase of land and to leases containing a purchasing clause. 'The Act has been found to operate in an unexpected direction—the money-lending institutions declining to lend money on mortgage at all. An amendment (No. 17) was therefore passed enabling the parties to a mortgage to contract themselves out of the Act. By a further amendment (No. 60) the Governor is authorized by Order in Council to suspend the principal Act or to modify any of its provisions in such manner as he thinks fit. 1914, No. 8. The Fruit-preserving Industry Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends the Fruitpreserving Industry Act, 1913. By that Act the Minister of Agriculture was empowered to arrange for advances, not exceeding £3,000 in any one case, to be made by the State for the purpose of assisting in the establishment of fruit-preserving works. The present amendment increases the amount that may be advanced to any one person from £3,000 to £9,000. 1914, No. 9. The Public Revenues Amendment Act, 1914. This Act makes several technical amendments in the provisions of the Public Revenues Act, 1910. In addition, section 8 empowers the Minister of Finance to raise, by way of Treasury bills, a loan of £2,000,000 towards the expenses incurred in New Zealand by reason of the present war. 1914, No. 10. The Civil Service Officers' Guarantee Repeal Act, 1914. —This Act. repeals' those provisions of the Civil Service Act, 1908, that required officers of the Public Service to make good the amount of any defalcations of public money by fellow-servants. 1914, No. 11. The Harbours Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1908. The amendments are all of an administrative nature, and none of them is of outstanding importance. 19f 4, No. 12. The War Contributions Validation Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes local authorities' and other bodies or persons having restricted powers to contribute out of their funds or in kind towards the expenses of the present war. (See also 1914, No. 71.) 1914, No. 13. The Trustee Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act is of temporary duration (expiring on the 31st December, 1915), and empowers trustees, during the continuance of the war, to deposit trust-moneys at interest with approved savings-banks, building societies, investment companies, public companies', or Municipal Corporations. 1914, No. 14. The Imprest Supply Act, 1914 (No. 3).—This Act applies the sum of £964,000 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £15,000 out of other specified accounts, for the service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 15. The Victoria College Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act alters the title of the Victoria College to the "Victoria University College"; it also makes new provisions for the constitution (by appointment and election) of the Council of the said University College. 1914, No. 16. The Expeditionary Forces Voting Act, 1914. —The purpose of this Act is' to enable members of the several Expeditionary Forces in connection with the present war to record their votes, before leaving New Zealand, both for the next general election of members of the House of Representatives and for the licensing poll (local no-license and national prohibition). 1914, No. 17. The Mortgages Extension Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act allows mortgagors under mortgages executed after the passing of the Act to contract themselves' out of the benefits of the principal Act. It also declares that in the investment of trust-moneys trustees shall not be deemed to be under any obligation so to contract themselves out of the provisions of the principal Act. 1914. No. 18. The Local Elections (Proportional Representation) Act, 1914.—This Act allows Borough Councils' to adopt the system of election by proportional representation at general elections of Councillors. The system provided is that in force in Tasmania. 1914, No. 19. The Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act enables the Supreme Court or any Judge thereof to grant a rehearing of any application for a committal order under the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Act, 1908. 1914, No. 20. The War Risk Insurance Act, 1914. —This Act empowers the Government to grant cover against marine war risk up to £10,000 on cargo exported from New Zealand in any one vessel. 1914. No. 21. The Customs Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in several minor particulars the provisions of the Customs Act, 1913. 1914, No. 22. The Imprest Supply Act, 1914 (No. 4). This Act applies the sum of £964,000 out of the Public Account, and the sum of £15,000 out of other specified accounts, to the service of the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 23. The Gaming Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act increases' by thirty-one the number of licenses to use the totalizator that may be issued in any year. The additional licenses are to be available for one day only, and are to be issued to clubs not otherwise entitled to a license. 1914, No. 24. The Fire Brigades Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act, 1908. In particular, it authorizes the constitution of united fire districts by agreement between the local authorities of two or more contiguous districts. It also enables a Fire Board to contract to render fire-brigade services outside the district of the Board.

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1914, No. 25. The Public Bodies' Leases Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in a minor particular the provisions of the Public Bodies' Leases Act, 1908. 1914, No. 26. The Animals Protection Act, 1914.—This Act is an amendment of the Animals Protection Act, 1908, and empowers the Governor to take land, as for a public work, for the purpose of providing sanctuaries for imported or native game, or for the breeding or preservation of such game. 1914, No. 27. The Licensing Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 2 is designed to prevent, as far as practicable, the inclusion by the Representation Commissioners (when determining the, boundaries of the several electoral districts) of any licensed premises in a no-license district. Section 6 prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years, except to a person resident on the premises where the liquor is sold, or to a bona fide guest or lodger on such premises. The prohibition applies to persons holding any kind of license under the principal Act, and not only to persons holding publicans' licenses. Section 7 provides an altered form of ballot-paper for the national prohibition poll. Under the old form a voter was required to vote either (1) against national prohibition, or (2) for national prohibition. Under the amended form votes are recorded either (1) for national continuance, or (2) for national prohibition. Section 8 makes more effective provision for preventing the surreptitious entry of intoxicating liquor into no-license districts. Section 10 prohibits (after the Ist April, 1915) the employment in any bar of a person under twenty-one years of age. Section II provides for the issue of licenses for the manufacture of wine in New Zealand, and regulates the sale of such wine. A licensee under this section is prohibited from selling wine in quantities less than 2 gallons, and also from permitting the consumption of wine on his premises. For the purposes of these provisions "wine" includes any liquor being the produce of fruit grown in New Zealand and of a strength not exceeding 40 per cent, of proof spirit. 1914, No. 28. The Remounts Encouragement Act, 1914.—This Act is intended to encouragethe breeding of horses suitable for military purposes by giving to the owners of selected stallions a subsidy not exceeding £150 in any one case. 1914, No. 29. The Rangitaiki Land Drainage Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act extends from £50,000 to £100,000 the authority to raise money for the purpose of drainage and other works in the Rangitaiki district. 1914, No. 30. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 2 increases from £145,000 to £175,000 the authority to raise money for the purpose of drainage and other works in the Hauraki Plains. Section 3 exempts from all general county rates all lands liable to be rated in respect of works undertaken "under the principal Act. 1914, No. 31. The Fisheries Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various minor amendments of the Fisheries Act, 1908. 1914, No. 32. The Looal Railways Act, 1914.—The purpose of this Act is to permit of the construction of railways by local Railway Boards in districts where the Government is not in a position to undertake the work. Section 3 provides for the constitution of railway districts by the Governor, on the petition of not less than one-fourth of the ratepayers therein. For each district there is to be a Railway Board of not less than five nor more than nine members, to be elected by the ratepayers. For the purpose of providing funds the Board of a district is empowered to raise moneys under the Local Bodies' Loans Act, and is also empowered to levy rates for the purpose of providing for the excess of the estimated expenditure over the estimated revenue in any year. Every railway to be constructed under the Act has to be specially authorized by the by Order in Council; and, on the issue of an Order, the Board may enter into the necessary contracts for the construction of the works. The necessary powers for the efficient conduct of the business of the railway, when completed, are conferred upon the Board. Section 78, et seq., enable the Governor, on giving twelve months' notice in writing of his intention, to purchase any railway undertaking constructed pursuant to the Act, the price to be determined by arbitration. The provisions of Part VIII of the Public Works Act (relating to the regulation and inspection of railways) are applied to railways constructed under this Act, and certain rights of the Crown e.g.. free carriage of mails, use of railway and rolling-stock in time of war or civil commotion —are protected. 1914 No 33. The Legislature Amendment Act, 1914.—1n addition to various technical amendments of minor importance, this Act provides for the following matters :— (1.) Section 2 reduces from three months to one month the necessary period of residence in a district before an elector becomes entitled to enrolment for that district, (2 ) Section 4 provides for the enrolment as electors of members of the theatrical profession and of commercial travellers who have resided in New Zealand for not less than one year but may not have resided for one month in any district.

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(3.) Important amendments are made with respect to the right to vote of seamen who have not a settled residence in any electoral district, Seamen who have a settled residence in a district are necessarily electors of that district, but other seamen vote as follows : — (i.) If they are engaged under articles, for the district comprising the port where they signed those articles, (ii.) If they are not engaged at the time of the election, then for the district comprising the port of discharge. - (iii.) In certain cases, where any port referred to above is comprised in more electoral districts than one, the seamen may choose to vote for any one of those districts. (4.) Section 18 allows a person whose name has been struck ofi the electoral roll in error to vote at any election on making the required declaration before the Deputy Returning Officer. (5.) Section 25 applies the provisions relating to the enrolment of European electors to the enrolment of Maoris under Part IV of the principal Act. The operation of this section is postponed until after the completion of the next general election. 1914, No. 34. The National Provident Fund Amendment Act, 1914. —The main object of this Act is to provide a workable scheme for the superannuation of the employees of local authorities, as an alternative to the scheme provided for under the Local Authorities' Superannuation Act, 1908. It empowers a local authority to become a contributor to the National Provident Fund on behalf of any or all of its employees, and either with or without their consent. In any such case the National Provident Fund is enabled to waive certain conditions and restrictions applicable to the case of ordinary contributors—for example, provisions as to ages of contributors, rates of contributions, maximum rate of allowances payable, &c. In fact, the Board is authorized to consider on its merits any scheme submitted by an applicant local authority, and to make such terms as it thinks fit as to rates of contribution and as to allowances and other benefits. It is bound, however, so far as practicable, to preserve the same proportion between rates of contribution and value of benefits as exists between the several rates of contribution and the benefits receivable under the principal Act. The Board is obliged, before committing itself to any proposed schemes, to obtain and have regard to actuarial computations as to the sufficiency of the proposed contributions taken in conjunction with the State subsidy to provide the benefits proposed to be conferred. As between the local authority and its employees the position is briefly as follows :— (a.) The local authority may agree with the Board to contribute to the fund, either with or without the consent of its employees. (&.) Having become a contributor, it may deduct from the wages or salary of every employee for whom it contributes a proportion of the contribution due to the fund on. behalf of that employee. This proportion may vary in different cases, but must not exceed two-thirds of the total contribution, (c.) The balance of the contribution is payable out of the funds of the local authorit}-. (d.) If the employee retires from the service of the local authority before becoming entitled to a retiring-allowance— (i.) He may withdraw from the fund his proportion of contributions, less benefits actually received by him; or (ii.) He may elect to continue as a personal contributor to the fund. If he withdraws his contribution from the fund the local authority may also withdraw its share of contribution; if not, the local authority must leave its contribution with the fund for at least eighteen months. If within that time the employee has not entered the service of the same or another contributing local authority the moneys may be withdrawn, but if he has entered such service the moneys remain in the fund. In lieu of exercising its right to withdraw moneys from the fund, the local authority may elect to have them applied on behalf of any other employee or employees. Corresponding provisions are made enabling private employers, friendly societies, and others to contribute in respect of their members, and enabling industrial unions and tradeunions to require their members to become contributors. Sections 19 to 28 make various' general amendments of the principal Act. 1914, No. 35. The National Provident Fund Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This Act makes special provisions with respect to contributors to the National Provident Fund who are members of any of the Expeditionary Forces from New Zealand. It provides— (a.) That absence from TSlew Zealand shall not disqualify such a member from receiving benefits from the fund; (6.) That during absence as a member of an Expeditionary Force the rate of contributions payable by him shall be reduced by one-half. The Act also authorizes the reduction of contributions by contributors' who are engaged during the continuance of the war on military duty in New Zealand. 1914, No. 36. The Workers' Dwellings Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act, in addition to various administrative amendments, provides as follows: — (a.) For the regulation of the area of land attached to a worker's dwelling by reference to its unimproved value (instead of prescribing any defined area). The maximum unimproved value is fixed at £250. (b.) The possible capital value of a worker's dwelling is increased from £600 to £750. (c.) In the case of concrete and brick buildings', the period that may be allowed for the payment of purchase-money is increased from 25i years to years.

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(d.) Section 14 permits of an arrangement being entered into between the Workers' Dwellings Board, the State Advances Office, and a worker for the purpose of enabling the worker to build a house on a section provided by the Workers' Dwellings Board, part of the cost being provided by the State Advances Office, 1914, No. 37. The Railways Improvement Authorization Act, 1914. —This Act authorizes the raising of a loan of £3,200,000 for railway-improvement purposes, to be raised by instalments not exceeding £750,000 a year. 1914, No. 38. The War Regulations Act, 1914.—The object of this Act is to better secure the public safety, the defence of New Zealand, and the effective conduct of military or naval operations during the continuance of the present war. For these purposes the Governor in Council is empowered to make regulations prohibiting acts deemed to be dangerous. A penalty of twelve months' imprisonment in the case of an alien, three months' imprisonment in any other case, and a fine not exceeding £100 may be imposed for the breach of any such regulation. Prosecutions under the Act are to be by way of summary proceedings and not on indictment. 1914, No. 39. The River Boards Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act modifies certain provisions of the River Boards Act, 1908, and its amendments, in their application to the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board. 1914, No. 40. The Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914.—Trading with the enemy during the continuance of the present war is declared by this Act to be an indictable offence, punishable by— (a.) Imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding five years; or (6.) The payment of a fine not exceeding £1,000; or (c.) Both such imprisonment and payment of fine. In the case of a corporation the maximum fine is fixed at £5,000. Authority is given to a Magistrate, on information laid on behalf of the AttorneyGeneral, to issue a warrant for the inspection of books, production of information as to business, &c, in any case where any person is suspected of carrying on busines contrary to the provisions of the Act. 1914, No. 41. The Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914. —The main purpose of this Act is to enable the Minister of Lands to act as agent for the disposal of kauri-gum on behalf of the gum-diggers during the crisis occasioned by the present war. The Act also provides for the Crown undertaking gum-digging operations in a systematic manner, with a view to the thorough working of the land, and the making of it suitable for agricultural and other industries. In providing for the purchase of gum by the Crown the Minister is authorized to advance up to one-half of the estimated value, and for that purpose may take as the basis of computation the values current before the commencement of the war. 1914. No. 42. The State Advances Amendment Act, 1914. —This Act makes several technical amendments with respect to the adjustment of accounts consequent on the passing of the State Advances Act, 1913. 1914, No. 43. The Road Boards Amendment Act, 1914. —The purpose of this Act is to enable the Governor by Proclamation to extend certain of the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908 (relating to sanitary drainage) to Road Boards. 1914, No. 44. The Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the raising of a loan of £3,000.000 for the following purposes.: — . (a.) Construction of railways, £600,000. (b.) Additional rolling-stock, £500,000. (c.) For land-settlement and goldfields development (the construction of roads and bridges), £1,500,000. (d.) Other public works, £400,000. 1914, No. 45. The Education. Reserves Amendment Act, 1914.—Section 3 authorizes the sale of upwards of 5 acres of any education reserve for certain educational, religious, charitable, or public purpose; and further authorizes the sale of any part of an education endowment (without any restriction as to area) if the Land Board and the Minister are both of opinion that the sale is in the best interests of the endowment. The proceeds of every such sale are to be expended in the purchase of other land to be held for the same educational purpose as the land sold. Under the Education Reserves Amendment Act, 1913, the Governor was empowered to determine certain education leases in the event of the land being required for purposes of closer settlement. Section 4 of the present amendment confers on the lessee whose lease is so determined the right without competition to acquire one of the subdivisions when the land is being again disposed of. 1914, No. 46. The Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes certain additional provisions with respect to the procedure prescribed for altering the boundaries of boroughs 1914, No. 47. The Friendly Societies Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act enables friendly societies to make certain concessions (as to payment of dues. <fee.) to members of societies joining any Expeditionary Force, and to other members deprived of employment by reason of the war. 1914, No. 48. The Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Amendment Art. 1914.—This Act corresponds with a recent enactment of the Imperial Parliament, and authorizes the Governor, by regulations, to avoid or suspend patents or licenses where the persons entitled to the benefits therefrom are subjects of a State at war with His Majesty.

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The Governor is also authorized to grant to persons other than enemy subjects the right to make, use, exercise, and, sell any patented invention or design liable to avoidance or suspension as aforesaid. 1914, No. 49. The Public Works Amendment Act, 1914. —This Act authorizes the Minister of Public Works or any person, authorized by him in that behalf to apply for and hold, on behalf of the Crown, any water-race license, in the same manner as if any such license maybe acquired and held by a private person. 1914, No. 50. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1913. 1914, No. 51. The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the law relating to the disposition and tenure of Crown lands in New Zealand. Its most important provisions' are the following : — Section 5 relates to the classification of lands for the purposes of the various existing provisions relating to the limitation of area. It relates only to lands that have not been, classified by the Land Board under the Land Act, 1908—that is to say, it relates principally to settlement land, Native land, and private European land. Where any such land is required to be classified as first, second, and third class (for example, for the purpose of determining the area that may be acquired in freehold under the provisions of earlier Acts relating to the purchase by tenants of the fee-simple), such land is to be classified as follows : — (a.) First class, of an unimproved value of £8 per acre or upwards (in lieu of £4 and upwards); (6.) Second class, of an unimproved value of between £4 and £8 (in lieu of between £2 and £4); (c.) Third class, of an unimproved value of less than £4 (in lieu of £2). The effect of the alteration will be to reduce land valued at between £4 and £8 an acre from first class to second class, and to reduce land valued at from £2 to £4 from second class to third class. The reduction in classification will result in an increase in the area that may be held. Section 14 modifies the provisions of section 13 of last year's amendment (relating to revaluation in cases where land has been overvalued). It has been found necessary to restrict the rights conferred by the earlier section, and under the amended provisions applications for revaluation can be made only after three years and before the expiration of six years from the commencement of occupation. Sections 17 and 18 relate to the right to acquire the fee-simple conferred by earlier legislation on lessees in perpetuity of ordinary Crown land and settlement land. The usual provisions as to the restriction of the area that could be acquired m fee-simple are not appropriately applied, in these cases, and lead only to needless complexity of the law. Sections 17 and 18 give to such lessees the right to acquire the whole area, comprised in their leases without limitation. Section 22 authorizes the Land Board on the expiry of any lease of a small grazing-run of settlement land, and notwithstanding any provisions as to removal, to subdivide the land and dispose of it in allotments, the outgoing lessee to have the right to one allotment, and preference in the disposal of the other allotments to be given to his sons over twenty-one years of age who have resided on the run for seven out of the ten years preceding the expiry of the original lease. Similar provisions with reference to the subdivision of small grazingruns of ordinary Crown land were made in 1913. Section 26 extends the provisions of section 50 of the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913 (relating to the constitution of special roading districts), so as to allow of the inclusion in such districts of settlement land, national-endowment land, and land acquired from Natives, as well as ordinary Crown land. Section 28 permits of an allotment of settlement land being disposed of, without competition, to men who had been continually employed on the land for not less than five yearsprior to its acquisition by the Crown, and who had been deprived of employment by such acquisition. Section 36 enables the Land Board to dispose of sand-dunes and other comparatively worthless lands to the occupiers of other lands in the vicinity. The purchaser is required to effect certain improvements before the issue of a title, including the planting of grass, lupin, or trees. Section 37 authorizes the exchange of any areas of an education reserve for areas of equal value of ordinary Crown land or national-endowment land ; Section 41 permits of the acquisition by the Crown in certain cases of land taken up under the Land Settlement Finance Act, This provision will relieve hardship in certain cases where land has been acquired by a land-settlement association at too high a price. Sections 42, 43, and 44 make temporary provisions (during the continuance of the war) for— (a.) Waiving restrictions as to cropping; (6.) Postponement of payment of rent on pastoral runs and on. small grazing-runs of settlement land. 1914, No. 52. The Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Amendment Act, 1914.—This amendment is designed to relieve contractors from the onerous conditions to which they have for some time been subject by reason of judicial interpretations of the principal Act. Under

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section 59 of that Act an employer or contractor is obliged to retain in his hands one-fourth part of the money payable under the contract to the contractor or subcontractor, until the expiration of thirty-one days after the completion of the work. It has been held that the work was not completed until the expiration of the period of maintenance—usually a period of three months after the completion of the work as ordinarily understood. This frequently meant that a builder, for example, was kept out of his money for four months after job was finished. The amendment provides that the retention of the one-fourth as before mentioned shall be for thirty-one days after the completion of the work in the ordinary sense. 1914, 'No. 53. The Inspection of Machinery Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various amendments of minor importance in the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1908. 1914, No. 54. The New Zealand Loans Amendment Act, 1914.—'This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the New Zealand Loans Act, 1908. 1914, No. 55. The Pensions Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act extends the benefits of the Pensions Act, 1913, in several matters of minor importance. 1914, No. 56. The Education Act, 1914.—This Act recasts the whole of the law relating to public schools, secondary schools, technical schools, and special schools. The principal changes introduced are as follows: — Reorganization of the Department of Education. —The Inspector-General of Schools becomes Director of Education, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Schools becomes Assistant Director. The position of Secretary for Education is abolished. The Inspectors of Schools, who have hitherto been officers of the Education Boards, are transferred to the Department. The transfer will result in a very considerable reduction of the expenses of administration. Reduction of the 'Number of Education Districts. —Provision is made for the constitution of not less than seven, and not more than nine education districts, to be determined on the report of a special Commission to be set up for the purpose. At present there are thirteen education districts, each under the jurisdiction of an Education Board. Every education district is divided into urban areas and a rural area. An urban area consists of a borough or a group of boroughs having more than 8,000 inhabitants. Where a majority of the School Committees in an urban area make application to the Board to be constituted an urban school district the members of the Board for that urban area arc to be elected on the municipal franchise on the same day as the election of Borough Councillors —that is, the last Wednesday in April in every second year. The rural area is divided into three wards. The members for each ward of the rural area and all urban areas other than urban school districts are, as now, to be elected by the members of the School Committees. The number of members for the rural area is six—two for each ward. The number of members for each urban area is two for each 60,000 or part of 60,000 inhabitants. Council of Education.— k Council of Education is established whose duty is to report to the Minister — (a.) Upon methods or developments in national education which in its opinion it is desirable to introduce into New Zealand : (5.) Upon any matters concerning the provision of facilities' for education in the Dominion or in any district thereof, and upon the co-ordination of the work carried on by the various bodies controlling education : (c.) Upon any other matters in connection with education referred to it by the Minister. To obviate the necessity for frequent meetings of the Council the Minister is given power to constitute from time to time District Advisory Committees to afford assistance and advice with regard to matters concerning one district only. Election of School Committees. —Members of School Committees formerly held office for one year, and'were elected at the meetings of householders held in April. Under the Act the .members of the Committee for each urban school district are to be elected on the municipal franchise on the day for the election of Borough Councillors, and to hold office for two years. In all other cases the School Committees are to be elected by the meeting of householders, and are to hold office for one year. One change is introduced in regard to nominations. All nominations must be made previous to the date of election. No nominations are to be received at the public meeting of householders. New Schools: Appointment of Teachers. —The power of the Boards to establish new schools are slightly limited. The Minister is given a voice, on the advice of the Council, in deciding the question whether a new school should, be established. In regard to the appointment of teachers Committees are still to be consulted, but no choice is to be given them, except in the case of equality of merit among the teachers who are candidates. Provision is made for the grading of teachers : with the centralization of the Inspectors a Dominion scheme of grading will become possible. Provision is made for rules as to sick-leave on pay. Staffs and Salaries in Public Schools. —The Act provides for a liberal increase of salaries, and also for a small immediate improvement of the staff, and ultimately for a considerable improvement. Secondary Education. —The provisions relating to secondary education are rearranged in a more or less logical order. Grants are increased to the secondary schools having little or no endowments, so as to enable considerably better salaries to be paid to the assistants in those schools.

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Provision'is made for the representation of Education Boards and of urbal school districts on the governing bodies of secondary schools, and further safeguards are set up to prevent the use of the secondary endowments or Government grants for the maintenance of lower departments of secondary schools. Scholarships, —There are two systems of school scholarships now in existence—namely, the Junior National Scholarships and the Education Board Scholarships. The Junior National Scholarships are tenable for three years, and may be extended to a fourth year, and are fixed in value. The Education Board Scholarships are divided into Junior and Senior, each series being generally for two years; they vary considerably in value in the different education districts. The Act provides for one system of scholarships, to be called Junior and Senior National Scholarships, each tenable for two or three years, but for not more than five years in all. 1914, No. 57. The Imprest Supply Act, 1914 (No. 5). —This Act applies the sunt of £203,000 from the Public Account, and the sum of £4.100 from other specified accounts, for the service of the year ending 31st March, 1915. 1914, No. 58. The Iron and Steel Industries Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of bounties in respect of the manufacture in New Zealand during the next ten years of iron and steel from iron-ore or ironsand produced in New Zealand. The total amount authorized to be paid is £150,000. 1914, No. 59. The Legislative Council Act. 1914.—This Act provides for an elective instead of an appointed Legislative Council. For the purposes of the Act New Zealand is divided into four electoral divisions —two in the North and two in the South Island. At the first election (to be held simultaneously with the first general election of members of the House held after the Ist January, 1916), seven members of the Council are to be elected for each of the North Island electoral divisions and five for each of the South Island divisions. At subsequent elections forty members in all are to be elected, and (unless the alterations in boundaries made by the Representation Commissioners necessitate an alteration) twenty-two members are to be elected for the North Island and eighteen for the South Island. Members of the Legislative Council now in office remain in office until the expiry of the term for which they were appointed. In the future only Maori members may be appointed to hold office for six years. Councillors elected under this Act will continue to hold office until the dissolution of Parliament, which takes place after the expiration of five years from the date of their election. Elections are to be conducted on the proportional representation system. Sections 5 to 9 define the powers of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives respectively with respect to the initiation of legislation and other matters. 1914, No. 60. The Mortgages Extension Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This amendment enables the Governor, by Order in Council, to suspend or modify the provisions of the principal Act (1914, No. 7). 1914, No. 61. The Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes important amendments for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well-being of miners. In particular provision is made with respect to— (a.) Official inquiries in case of accident: (b.) Ventilation in mines : (c.) Prohibiting use of electricity in certain cases : (d.) Withdrawal of men from dangerous localities : (c.) Prescribing the use of safety-lamps where deemed necessary: (/.) Examination of mines by persons appointed for the purpose by the workmen : (g.) Provision for bathhouses, with hot- and cold-water supply, for use of workmen : (h.) Constitution of committee, consisting of Warden or Magistrate, and representatives of mine-manager and men, to frame additional rules for regulation of mines : (i.) Power to Inspector of Mines to order cessation of work where, in his opinion, there is any immediate danger to life. 1914, No. 62. The Mining Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various rules for the better and safer working of gold-mines. Section 14 empowers the workmen in any mine to have the mine inspected. Section 15 enables the Inspector summarily to stop work in case of danger to life. Section 17 makes better, provision as to the conduct of official inquiries as to accidents. 1914, No. 63. The Native Land Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various amendments of the Native Land Act, 1909, and of the amending Act of 1913. 1914, No. 64. The Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1914. —This Act is for the purpose of determining certain claims and disputes in relation to Native lands, and to confer certain jurisdiction upon the Native Land Court and Maori Land Boards. 1914, No. 65. The Legislature Amendment Act, 1914 (No. 2). —This Act provides for the disqualification of members of either House of Parliament who are proved to the satisfaction of a parliamentary Committee to have acted -as agents for commission or other regard on the sale to or acquisition by the Crown of any private land. 1.914, No. 66. The Mental Defectives Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes a minor amendment of the Mental Defectives Act, 1911. 1914, No. 67. The Railways Authorization Act, 1914. —This Act authorizes the construction of several railways to the extent specified in the schedule. 1914, No. 68. The New Zealand University Amendment Act, 1914.—The principal amendment of the law effected by this Act is the constitution, in connection with the New Zealand

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University, of a Board of Studies, with power to make recommendations to the Senate as to the appointment of examiners, and as to degrees, diplomas, scholarships, prizes, courses of study, and examinations, and to receive recommendations as to any of those matters from the several Professorial Boards. The Senate is also empowered to delegate to the Board of Studies certain of its powers as to drawing up courses of study, conducting examinations, appointing examiners, &c, Provision is also made for the establishment of University National Scholarships, University bursaries. National Research Scholarships, and other scholarships. Section 31 provides for annual grants to the several University colleges as follows: — (a.) Auckland University College, £9,000 : (b.) Victoria University College, £9,000 : (c.) Canterbury University College, £2,000: (d.) Dunedin University College, £5,000. 1914, No. 69. The Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Act, 1914.—The principal object of this amendment, is to secure the export of fruit from New Zealand in a fit and proper condition. It enables the Governor by regulation to provide for the cooling or other treatment of fruit prior to export, and also for inspection, grading, packing, and stamping of fruit intended for export. 1914, No. 70. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies' Empowering Act, 1914. —This Act provides, inter alia, for the exchange, sale, reservation, and other disposition of certain reserves, Crown lands, other lands, and endowments. 1914, No. 71. The War Contributions Validation Act, 1914 (No. 2).—This Act supplements the provisions of the earlier Acts (validating contributions for the purposes of defence). The present Act validates contributions by local authorities or other bodies or persons with restricted powers for the purpose of — (a.) The relief of distress occasioned by the war; or (b.) Any patriotic object approved by the Governor. This Act also enables local authorities to make monetary allowances to dependants of former employees who join any Expeditionary Force from New Zealand or who are called out for active service in New Zealand. 1914, No. 72. The Public Reserves and Domains Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act makes various minor amendments with respect to the administration of public reserves and endowments. 1914, No. 73. The Defence Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act extends from five to fifteen years the period for which the Government may enter into contracts for the supply of ammunition for the use of the New Zealand Defence Forces. 1914, No. 74. The Medical Practitioners Act, 1914. —This Act provides much more effective machinery than has formerly been available with respect to the registration and control of medical practitioners. It provides for the setting-up of a Board to consider all applications for enrolment. The Board has power also to remove from the register the names of practitioners who have left the country without any intention of returning, and to take proceedings for the removal by order of the Supreme Court of men who are guilty of gross misconduct in their professional capacity. 1914, No. 75. The Expeditionary Forces Voting Act. 1914 (No. 2). —This Act applies to Maori members of the several Expeditionary Forces, and preserves their right to vote for the purposes of the next general election of members of the House of Representatives. (See also 1914, No. 16.) 1914, No. 76. The Appropriation Act, 1914.—This Act appropriates the supplies granted for the financial year ending 31st March, 1915. Inter alia, it authorizes the payment of a'sum of £20,000 for the relief of distress in Belgium. Local and Personal Acts. 1914, No. I (Local). The Hutt Park Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act extends the powers of the Hutt Park Committee. 1914, No. 2 (Local). The Whangarei Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the Whangarei Harbour Board to borrow an amount not exceeding £100,000 for carrying out certain harbour-improvement works. 1914, No. 3 (Local). The Onehunga Borough Council Enabling Act, 1914.—This Act confers certain local powers on the Onehunga Borough Council. 1914, No. 4 (Local). The Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in minor particulars the provisions of the Tuakitoto and Kaitangata Lakes Act 1911. 1914, No. 5 (Local). The Dunedin City Council Empowering Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the Dunedin City Council to appoint Commissioners with power to invest portion of the funds to the credit of the Trading Department's Renewal Fund Account, 1914. No. 6 (Local). The Taieri Land Drainage Amendment Act. 1914.—This Act authorizes the Taieri Land Drainage Commissioners to raise a loan not exceeding £1,500 for the purpose of carrying out certain works in the district. 1914, No._ 7 (Looal). The Auckland City and Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1914. —This_ Act authorizes the Auckland City Council to borrow moneys for the purpose of acquiring land and for certain other purposes relating to the said city. The Act also authorizes the Auckland Harbour Board and the trustees of the Kajstri Point Park Reserve to exchange certain lands.

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1914, No. 8 (Local). The Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act. 1914.—This Act confers certain powers on the Auckland Harbour Board. 1914, No. 9 (Local). The Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends the Christchurch District Drainage Act, 1907. and also validates certain expenditure by the Christchurch. Drainage Board. 1914, No. 10 (Local). The Christchurch Milk-supply and Markets Act, 1914.—This Act confers certain powers on the Christchurch City Council with respect to (a) the inspection and distribution of milk within the city, (b) the establishment of markets, and (c) the establishment of refrigerating chambers for the cool storage of meat and other articles intended for human consumption. 1914, No. 11 (Local). The Dunedin City (Waipori Falls) Lands Vesting Act, 1914.—This Act vests certain Crown lands in the Corporation of the City of Dunedin. 1914, No. 12 (Local). The Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Acts Amendment Act, 1914. —This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Act, 1900, and the Acts amending the same. 1914, No. 13 (Local). The Eltham Drainage Board Act, 1914.—This Act confers certain rating and other powers upon the Eltham Drainage Board. 1914, No. 14 (Local). The Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Loan Act, 1914.—This Act authorizes the Napier Harbour Board to borrow moneys, not exceeding £300,000, for the purpose of- carrying out certain works in connection with the Napier Harbour. 1914, No. 15 (Local). The Riccarton Bush Act, 1914.—This Act provides for the incorporation and defines the powers of the Riccarton. Bush Trustees. 1914. No. 16 (Local). The Southland Land Drainage Act, 1914.—This Act makes better provision for the drainage of lands situated within the Southland and the Wallace Counties. 1914. No. 17 (Local). The Waitara Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1914.—This Act empowers the Waitara Harbour Board to raise a loan not exceeding £50,000 for harbour purposes, and authorize the carrying-out of certain works. 1914, No. 18 (Local). The Whangarei Borough Land Vesting Act, 1914.—This Act vests certain Crown lands in the Corporation of the Borough of Whangarei. 1914, No. 19 (Local). The Takapuna Borough Foreshore Vesting Act, 1914.—This Act empowers the Governor to grant certain Crown lands in the Corporation of the Borough of Takapuna. 1914, No. 20 (Local). The Taumarunui Hospital District Act, 1914.—This Act constitutes the Taumarunui Hospital District, and alters accordingly the boundaries of the Waikato Hospital District. 1914, No. 21 (Local. The Wellington City Milk-supply Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the Wellington City Milk-supply Acts of 1910 and 1.911. 1914, No. 22 (Local). The Port Ahuriri - Westshore Road and' Railway Act. 1914.—This Act validates certain agreements between the Minister of Public Works, the Napier Harbour Board, and the Hawke's Bay County Council with reference to the construction of a certain combined road and railway embankment and other works from Port Ahuriri to Westshore. Private. 1914, No. 1 ('Private). The Presbyterian Church Property Act 1885 Amendment Act, 1914.— This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Presbyterian Church Property Act, 1885. 1914, No. 2 (Private). The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Act Amendment Act, 1914.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Methodist Charitable and Educational Trusts Act, 1911. 1914, No. 3 (Private). The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Empowering Act, 1914.—This Act confers certain powers relating to the management of property upon the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland and his successors in office.

'No. 52. New Zealand, No. 213. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd December, 1914. I have the honour to inform you that I regret to report the death at Dunedin on the 30th November, 1914, of Professor John Shand, upon whom His Majesty the King was graciously pleased to confer the honour of Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George at the beginning of the present year. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 53. New Zealand, No. 2. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 2nd January, 1915. I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your despatch, No. 479, of the 29th October, 1914, on the subject of the employment in United States Consulates of former officers of German and Austro-Hungarian Consulates, that my Government will, as directed, consider and deal with any request which may be made by the American Consul-General in New Zealand for exemption of any particular individual from the general rule. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 54. New Zealand, No. 3. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd January, 1915. With reference to your despatch, No. 272, of the 26th June, and to the reply contained in my despatch, No. 161, of the 16th September, 1914, on the subject of regulations and Orders in Council made under the Copyright Act, 1913, of the New Zealand Parliament, I have the honour to transmit to you, at the request of my Prime Minister, the accompanying copies of an Order in Council of the 7th December, 1914, 'amending the Order in Council dated the 27th March, 1914, made under section 33 of the Act. relating to foreign countries. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 55. New Zealand, No. 16. Sir. — Government House, Wellington, 22nd January, 1915. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a memorandum from my Prime Minister stating that the New Zealand Government has been endeavouring to obtain control of phosphatic deposits in order to supply the heavy demand for this class of fertilizer which more than any other is required for the proper development of New Zealand land, the soil of which is largely deficient in phosphates. 2. The Prime Minister states, further, that the occupation by the British of the German islands in the Marshall Group, which contains large deposits of phosphates, has brought up the question, and he desires me to intimate to you that if consideration is being given by His Majesty's Government to the disposal'of these islands the Government of New Zealand would.be glad to learn on what terms it could be given control of one of the deposits. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 56. New Zealand, No. 19. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, Ist February, 1915. With reference to your despatch, No. 231, of the 29th May, 1914, and to my despatch, No. 138, of the 30th July last, relative to the desire of the Secretary of State to be furnished annually with a list of trade representatives appointed by the Government of New Zealand in foreign countries, I have the honour, by

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request of the Prime Minister, to inform you that the following are the only representatives of this Dominion in foreign countries:— Edmund Clifton, New Zealand Commissioner, Panama-Pacific International Exhibition, and New Zealand Trade Representative, Flat-iron Building, 544 Market Street, San Francisco. James G. liarle Moore, Honorary New Zealand Representative, Calle Corrientes, Buenos Aires. Both the above-named gentlemen are British subjects. 2. My Prime Minister states that it is not quite understood whether a complete list of trade representatives is required annually, or whether only the names of fresh representatives who have been appointed during the year should be supplied. It is suggested that this point be made clear. I have, &c., LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 57. New Zealand, No. 20. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, Ist February, 1915. With reference to your despatch, No. 549, of the 3rd December, forwarding copy of a letter from the National Health Insurance Commission on the subject of the supply of insurance stamps and cards to port authorities in New Zealand, I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers state, in reply to the question raised, that as there are very few discharges of seamen from ships registered in England at ports in the Dominion other than at the ports of Auckland, Wellington. Lyttelton, and Dunedin, and that as the Superintendents at the other ports can always obtain the necessary stamps from one of the four ports named, the National Health Insurance Commission need not send them to ports other than those four. I have, &c., LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 58. New Zealand, ?j No.|2B.j tariff! Sir, — "Government House, Wellington, 16thf February, 1915. With reference tojyour despatch., No. 567, of the 11th December, I have the honour to inform you that my Government concur in the adoption, for use in official publications, of the name " Southern Ocean," this name to apply to the ocean bounded on the north by a line joining the southern portions of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and on the south by the Antarctic Continent. I have, &c., LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis*Y.|Harcourt,|P.C., &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 59. New Zealand, No. 39. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd March, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of No. 589, of the 24th December last, forwarding copy of the report of the ninth meeting of the International Meteorological Committee, held in Berlin in 1910, and inquiring whether full meteorological returns could be sent to the Meteorological Office, South Kensington, from Rarotonga or Niue.

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2. My Ministers inform me, in reply, that the Meteorological Branch of the Marine Department has copies of rainfall returns which have been supplied from Rarotonga, Niue, Aitutaki, and Mangaia. Copies of these returns will be made and supplied to the Meteorological Office, South Kensington. 3. At present the Marine Department only has rain-gauges at the places mentioned, but the question as to providing funds to procure barometers, barographs, and thermometers for the Cook Islands, so that further meteorological information may be obtained, will be considered when the estimates for next year's expenditure are being prepared. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 60. New Zealand, No. 40. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, sth March, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 600, of the 31st December last, explaining the arrangements which you have sanctioned for the extension of the scope of the work of the Imperial Institute in the direction of the Institute undertaking investigations for private individuals and firms throughout His Majesty's dominions on payment of suitable fees. 2. My Ministers inform me that they have read your despatch with interest,. and that, in accordance with the wish expressed in the concluding paragraph, steps will be taken to give full publicity to the arrangements which have received your sanction. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 61. New Zealand, No. 43. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, sth March, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 8, of the sth January, forwarding copies of a memorandum from the Pacific Cable Board, and a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Australia, on the subject of terminal rates in Australia and New Zealand. 2. In a minute addressed to the Prime Minister by the Postmaster-General, commenting upon the memorandum, the following remarks are made :■ — " It is to be hoped that the arguments of Sir Henry Babington Smith, which appear to me to be unanswerable, will be conceded the justification of a reduction of the terminal charge accompanied by a lowering of rates to the public by the Commonwealth Government. The memorandum of the 18th November was received from the High Commissioner shortly before the receipt of the Secretary of State's despatch." I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 62. New Zealand, No. 46. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th March, 1915. I have the honoui to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 601, of the 31st December last, forwarding, for the consideration of my Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Home Office, enclosing a draft of the regulations which are being

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issued under section 19 of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, and of the instructions which it is proposed to issue as to applications for certificates of naturalization by aliens resident in the United Kingdom. 2. My Ministers have given, the matter their attention, and made the following observations: — , (a.) That the New Zealand Government have no criticisms or suggestions to offer with respect to the regulations. (b.) That the New Zealand Government approve of the provisions contained in paragraph (6) of the instructions as to proof of residence in New Zealand. (c.) That if it is decided to adopt a different procedure and to transmit declarations to the New Zealand Government for inquiry and verification all facilities will be afforded for this purpose. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 63. New Zealand, No. 47. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th March, 1915. I have the honour to inform you that I regret to report the death at No. 11 Selwyn Terrace, Wellington, on the 26th February last, of the Hon. Edward Richardson, C.M.G. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 64. New Zealand, No. 48. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th March, 1915. At the instance of my Prime Minister, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying sets of posters and cards now in use in New Zealand for the enrolling of men for the Expeditionary Force. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 65. New Zealand, No. 58. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 30th March, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 29, of the 20th January, enclosing a number of inquiry forms relating to German subjects supposed to be in this Dominion about whom information is desired by their relatives. 2. I duly forwarded these forms to my Ministers, who have now returned them to me after having inserted the particulars available in each case. I therefore return the forms herewith. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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No. 66. New Zealand, No. 60. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 31st March, 1915. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a communication from my Prime Minister acquainting me that a cable was recently received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio, giving particulars relative to Japanese rape-

seed, considerable quantities of which had been offered to New Zealand merchants. 2. The Prime Minister states that the information supplied by the Ambassador proved to be exactly what was required to enable New Zealand merchants to judge whether the seed would be suitable for the requirements of this Dominion, and it was therefore of the greatest value to the farming community. Rape forms one of the most important of the green fodders used for fattening sheep and lambs in this country, and the question of obtaining supplies of seed, seriously affected by the outbreak of war, is one of the greatest importance. 3. I shall be glad if you will be so good as to-cause an expression of the thanks of the New Zealand Government to be conveyed to the British Ambassador for the valuable information with which he has supplied them. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL. The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 67. New Zealand, No. 64. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 31st March, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 45, A of the 4th February, on the subject of the proposed scheme for the collection of employers' contributions due under the National Insurance Acts in respect of seamen who neither are domiciled nor have places of residence in the United Kingdom or who hold certificates of exemption. 2. My Ministers note that owing to thefexceptional conditions produced by the war the Commissioners desire that the proposed change in the method of collection of contributions affecting shipowners should be postponed for the present. My Ministers observe, however, that prior to the receipt of this despatch under reply, the shipping-masters in New Zealand received supplies of stamps from the Imperial authorities and, in accordance with the arrangement made, have been selling them for some little time past. In some cases shipmasters have stated that having been told in England that they could obtain stamps in New Zealand they have not brought any out with them. Should any of them follow a similar course in future and find that the stamps are not being sold here, the masters would be in a difficulty about complying with the law in the matter of affixing stamps when men are discharged in the Dominion. 3. Under these circumstances, whichjmy Ministers have asked me to explain to you, the sale of stamps will be continued at the various shipping offices to which supplies have been sent from England, pending the receipt of a reply from you. I have, &c. LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt,|P.C, &c. Governor. Secretary of Stateffor the Colonies.

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Approximate Cost oi Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (750 coplM), £24.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls,

Price. Is.}