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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1920 Session I, A-02

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1920. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

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L . NEW ZEALAND. DESPATCHES ROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND. Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency. INDEX. No. of Date. Series. Sublect. Subject. Page. BUDject. 1918. 1 Nov. 18 Si 2 „ 18 Ca 3 Dec. 6 U] 4 „ 9 Jc 5 „ 13 N 6 „ 18 W 7 „ 27 Fi 8 „ 31 M: 9 „ 31 In 1919. 10 Jan. 30 M. 11 „ 31 Ce 12 „ 31 Fl 13 Feh. 17 U 14 „ 25 G< 15 Mar. 11 W 16 „ 17 Ti 17 „ 24 Ai 18 „ 31 Mi 19 „ 31 19 20 April 8 Tn 21 „ 10 Cc 22 „ 14 In 23 May 8 H 24 „ 8 M. 25 „ 10. CI 26 „ 21 E( 27 June. 5 In 28 „ 11 W 29 ,. 18 Jc 30 „ 28 D( 31 July 9 A] 32 „ 10 Pi 33 „ 24 Ai 34 Aug. 1 lr 35 „ 6 E 36 „ 6 Jc 37 „ 16 Vv 38 „ 25 Pi 39 Sept. 24 A. 40 „ 29 N 41 Oct. 3 E 42 „ 22 , 0 43 Nov. 12 Pi I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 io ll 12 13 14 15 ii; 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2!) 30 31 32 33 34 36 36 37 38 39 40 ll 42 13 Silver War Badge Carrier-pigeons .. .... Upkeep of the " Otter " gear Joint Standing Industrial Councils Nyasaland postal war-tax Workmen's compensation : Trust funds Freight rates on oil.. Military decorations : Award of a star Imperial Institute Monthly Army List Ceylon postal rates Flags to be flown by the ex-Austrian vessels in Allied service Union of South Africa : Amalgamation of industrial and scientific bodies .. Government contracts : Empire preference Wireless call-signals Time-charters Order, 1919 Army Entrance Examination Meteorological Conference 1914-15 Star : Terms of award to Naval Forces International salutes Conference of Entomologists International salutes Higher education of ex-officers and men Medal struck at Investiture of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales Changes in names of merchant ships Education of ex-soldiers Imperial War Graves Commission War-stamps .. .. .... Joint Standing Industrial Councils Decayed oak from Westminster Hall Allied Signal-manual Prince of Wales's Birthday Agricultural machinery .. .. .. .. .. ,. Imperial Bureau of Mycology Examination of masters and mates Joint Standing Industrial Councils .. .. .. .. ., War-medals : Mercantile marine Protection of ships from damage by mines Accommodation at Staff College, Quetta Nobel Committee Entomological Conference Office International d'Hygi&ne Publique Prize Courts 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 10 ll 12 12 12 13 13 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 23 21 21 24

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No. 1. New Zealand, Dominions No. 658. My Lord,— Downing Street, 18th November, 1918. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 634, of the 4th October, 1917, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an Army Order published on the 14th September amending the conditions governing the award of the Silver War Badge. I have, &o, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Eight Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P. 0., G.C.M.G., G.8.E., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Army Order. War Office, 14th September, 1918. Vl.— Silver War Badge. 1. In view of the provisions of the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve of the amendment of the conditions governing the award of the Silver War Badge granted under Army Orders 316 of 1916, 50 and 265 of 1917. 2. Under the amended conditions the badge will, subject in every case to the approval of the Army Council, be issued to the individuals specified below who served with the colours for at least seven days subsequent to the 4th August, 1914 :— (a.) Disabled men who have served during the present war outside the British Islands, or have served in the field in any previous war. (b.) Disabled men who, although they have not served as in (a) above, are in possession of Army Form B 2079 endorsed by the recruiting authorities to the effect that they have been found to be totally and permanently unfit for any form of military service; or who have left or been discharged on account of neurasthenia or allied functional nerve-disease certified by a Special Medical Board to be the result of military service in the present war. (c.) Persons who have left or been discharged from the Military Forces for reasons other than misconduct, and who at the time of the receipt of their application for the award of their badge are over the military age specified in the Military Service Acts at that time in force. 3. The badge will, subject, to the approval of the Army Council, also be issued to the undermentioned persons who have served with the Military Forces subsequent to the 4th August, 19] 4 : — (a.) Persons who are in possession of Ministry of National Service Form 2079, or who are over the military age specified in the Military Service Acts for the time being in force, and who—(i) have served with the Royal Army Medical Corps under a fixed agreement for a period of service; or (ii) have with the sanction of the military authorities been employed with the Army overseas and have resigned their military employment on account of disablement or ill health. (b.) Female nurses and members of Voluntary Aid Detachments and Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps who have been discharged or have relinquished their duties on account of physical disabilities such as would render them permanently unfit for further service in their respective corps. 4. In this order the phrase " disabled men " means men (including officers) who have left or been discharged from the Military Forces in consequence of disablement or ill health caused otherwise than by misconduct. 5. Army Orders 316 of 1916 and 50 and 265 of 1917 are hereby cancelled. By Command of the Army Council, R. L. Meade.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 212. My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th November, 1918. With reference to your telegram of the 6th August, on the subject of carrier-pigeons, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Army Council state that 400 birds have now been received from New Zealand. 2. The Council desire that an expression of their best thanks and appreciation may be conveyed to you and to the Homing-pigeon Association for their most generous gift. I have, &o, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Ridit Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G., G.B.E, M.V.0., &c

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No. 3. New Zealand, Dominions No. 700. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th December, 1918. With reference to my telegram of the 15th January regarding the fitting of ships with " Otter " gear, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the initial installation of " Otter " apparatus has now been suspended, but that repairs and replacements to the gear are to continue until further notice. 2. The attention of British shipowners has been drawn by the Shipping Controller to the importance of the proper upkeep of the " Otter " gear, and they have been informed that they will be paid at the rate of £1 per month in respect of ships certified by the local " Otter " officer as having the gear in a satisfactory condition. I have, &o, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P. 0., G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1919, No. 5.

No. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 702. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th December, 1918. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 638, of the 6th November, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that Joint Standing Industrial Councils have now been set up for the following industries, viz. : Bobbin and shuttle making, made-up leather goods, metallic bedstead, sawmilling. I have, &c, "WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G., G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 713. My Lord, — Dowing Street, 13th December, 1918. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 397, of the 26th July, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Government of the Nyasaland Protectorate, which is not included in the Postal Union, has imposed a war-tax of Id. on all letters and post-cards posted in the protectorate for delivery in other parts of the world. Letters and post-cards addressed to any member of His Majesty's Naval or Military Forces on active service will be exempt from these charges. 2. The Nyasaland Government have at the same time reduced the unit of weight for letters delivered within the Empire from 1 oz. to \ oz, and have also revised the unit of weight for other postal matter as follows : — Newspapers : The initial rate of Id. for 2 oz. remains unchanged, but for each successive 2 oz. the rate is reduced from Id. to Sample packets : The minimum charge of 2d. is abolished. The new rate is Id. for 2 oz. and Id. for each additional 2 oz, the maximum weight being increased for 12 oz. to 5 lb. Commercial papers : The new rate is for packets not exceeding 4oz, 3d. for packets not exceeding 6oz, with Id. for each additional 2 oz. 3. These new rates took effect as from the 16th September, 1918. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-1, 1919, No. 7.

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No 6. New Zealand, Dominions No. 726. My Lord,— Downing Street, 18th December, 1918. I have the honour to transmit to ifour Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Association of County Court Registrars relative to the position of Registrars of County Courts in "the matter of the distribution of trust funds collected in His Majesty's oversea dominions under Workmen's Compensation Acts for the benefit of minor children in this country. 2. I am asked to explain that Registrars of County Courts in this country have in their official capacity no duty or power to accept any such duties as those contemplated by the order of the Court in British Columbia mentioned in the association's letter. Any Registrar in his private capacity can no doubt become trustee of such a fund, but in that case the administration of trust would not be officially supervised, nor would the trust moneys be subject to Government audit or be covered by the Registrar's bond to the Treasury. For these reasons it is not the practice for Judges of the High Court in this country to direct payment to Registrars of County Courts for similar purposes. It is therefore suggested that in such cases British oversea Courts should direct payment to the Public Trustee, having previously obtained from him information that he is willing to accept payment. In English cases the Public Trustee is willing, and a rule of the Supreme Court has accordingly been made directing payment to him. lam advised that there should be no difficulty in arranging with the Public Trustee that he should similarly accept payment from British oversea Courts, subject to the charge of the prescribed fees. It is not necessary that there should be a previous communication in advance with the Public Trustee on every occasion before an order of Court is made. It will be more convenient that a general arrangement should be made with the Public Trustee, whereby, when the necessity arises for making an order for the holding of a trust fund of this kind in this country, the Court concerned could make the order directing payment to the Public Trustee and simultaneously inform him that they have done so. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The Association of County Court Registrars, Sir, — Registrars' Chambers, County Court, Birmingham, 2nd August, 1918. A member of our Association of County Court Registrars has received a communication from the Official Administrator of the Province of British Columbia asking him to assist in the distribution of certain trust funds collected for the benefit of minor children under the terms of the provincial Workmen's Compensation Act. The Registrar replied that he would be quite willing to do so, and has recently received a sum of about £140 with a copy of an order made by a Court in British Columbia directing payment of this amount to him as Registrar of the County Court, upon trust for the three infant children of the deceased workman (who reside with their mother within the district of his Court) in equal shares, the money to be distributed by the Registrar for their benefit in such manner and at such times as the Judge of the County Court may direct. The Registrar consulted me, as president of the association, on the matter, and dealt with it on'the lines I suggested—namely, he paid the money into County Court, and on an application being made to the Judge for directions an order was made similar to those made in workmen's compensation cases apportioning the fund, and for investment and payment of monthly sums to the children's mother for the benefit of the children. .; .. On my bringing the matter before.my committee the question was raised whether the Court in British Columbia had any power to make such an order, and also whether there is any Order in Council providing for the Supreme Court in England and the Court in British Columbia assisting each other in matters arising out of workmen's compensation cases, and I was requested to make inquiries from the proper Government Department to see if they could throw any light on the matter. T do not quite know ta: which Department I ought to address my inquiry, but if you could give me any information or refer me to the Department to whom my inquiry ought to be addressed I should be very much obliged. Your obedient servant, Arthur L. Lowe, President. The Secretary, Home Office, Whitehall, S.W. 1.

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No. 7. New Zealand, No. 232. My Lord,— Downing Street, 27th December, 1918. With reference to my despatch, No. 227, of the 12th December, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the United States Chartering Committee now advise that freight rates on oil from Pacific ports to New Zealand, Australia, and Far Eastern ports will no longer be controlled. I have, &c„ WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

No. 8. New Zealand, Dominions No. 758. My Lord,—- Downing Street, 31st December, 1918. With reference to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of an announcement made in the House of Commons on the 14th November, as to the award of a star similar to the 1914 Star, and the conditions governing the issue of this decoration. 2. It was subsequently announced in the House of Commons, in reply to a question whether the decoration would be given to the relatives of those who fell during the operations, that the decoration would be issued to the legal representative or the next-of-kin according to whether the deceased soldier died testate or intestate. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. War Service (decorations). —Statement bt Mr. Maopherson. Colonel Leslie Wilson (by private notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, Whether he is in a position to make any announcement with regard to the award or decoration to officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who took part in the Gallipoli operations? Mr. Maopherson : I have received also a private-notice question from my honourable friend the member for South Salford (Sir M. Barlow). I hope the House will pardon my giving a somewhat long answer to the questions. As has been already stated in the House, the settlement of this matter has been complicated owing to the diversity of the interests involved, and has been delayed by the need for consultation with the Dominion authorities. I am glad to be able to say that an agreement has been reached which has received the approval of the War Cabinet and His Majesty the King, and which, I am assured, is satisfactory to those principally concerned. In the first place, the 1914 Star will be reserved for its special purposes. A star on the same model and with the same riband, but bearing distinctive marks as to date —viz, the years 1914-15—will be given to all officers and other ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who prior to the 31st December, 1915, served in a ship of war at sea, and all officers and other ranks of Military and Air Forces who served in a theatre of war prior to the same date. In every case the officer or man must have served on duty and with proper authority, and no officer or man will receive the 1914-15 Star in addition to the 1914 Star. Thus, in the same way that those.who first bore the brunt of the attack in France and Flanders received a special mark of 'recognition by the award of the 1914 Star, so those from our Dominions and colonies as well as British and Irish troops who first responded to the call of duty and served in a theatre of war will receive special recognition. The House will recollect that it has been originally proposed and sanctioned that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand should present their troops with a special medal for the operations on the Peninsula. They have now agreed to the new proposal, so that all troops, British and Indian and those from the Dominions, who shared the same dangers and hardships shall receive the same award. The date chosen —namely, the 31st December, 1915 —forms a definite break in the operations, and all concerned have accepted it on the understanding that it is final. It will interest the House to know that there will be included, in addition to all those who fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the Canadian troops who fought at the second Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Festhubert, and subsequent operations of that year in France and Flanders; all those who fought at the Battle of Loos; the troops engaged in the defence of Egypt; the troops who conquered German South-West Africa under the command of General Botha, as well as all who were engaged in other parts of the African Continent; the Australian Force which captured the Bismarck Archipelago; and those who fought so gallantly under General Townshend at Kut.

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No. 9,

New Zealand, No. 237. . My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st December, 1918. 9, With reference to my predecessor's telegram of the 15th May, 1916, and subsequent correspondence with regard to the Executive Council of the Imperial Institute, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that the term of office of the existing members will expire next year. I shall be glad to learn in due course whom your Ministers would wish to appoint to represent New Zealand. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1919 No. 12.

No. 10. New Zealand, Dominions No, 64. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th January, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 396, of the 22nd July, 1915, relating to the restrictions on the issue of the Monthly Army List, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Army Council have decided that these restrictions may now be removed, and that, commencing with the issue for the present month, the book may again be placed on the list of His Majesty's Stationery Office publications which are available to the public on payment. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 68. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st January, 1919. X With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 713, of the 13th December, 1918, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Government of Ceylon has increased the rate of postage on letters from the colony to British possessions generally from 6 cents to 9 cents for each ounce or part of that weight, with effect from the 18th November last. 2. I shall be glad if your Ministers will cause the necessary instructions to be given for the due taxation of any insufficient prepaid correspondence arriving from Ceylon. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1919, No. 9.

No. 12. New Zealand, Dominions No. 70. My Lord, Downing Street, 31st January, 1919. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty regarding the flags to be "flown by ex-Austrian vessels in Allied service. I have, &c, y MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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Enclosure. Sir — Admiralty, 13th January, 1919. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that arrangements have been made by the Allied representatives in the Mediterranean for certain Austrian vessels handed over to the Allied Governments to fly at the stern the house flag of the Allied Maritime Transport Council. This is a white rectangular flag with a blue central horizontal stripe one-third the breadth of the flag. It will ordinarily be issued in the following sizes: 12 ft. by 8 ft. for ships over 4,000 tons; 9 ft. by 6 ft. for ships from 1,000 to 4,000 tons; 6 ft. by 4ft. for ships under 1,000 tons. The vessels in question will fly at the masthead the flag of the nation entrusted with the management of the vessel, and the law applicable to the vessel will be that of the State whose flag is at the masthead. I am to request that this information may be promulgated as may be thought necessary. I am, &c, J. W. S, Anderson. The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 23. My Lord,— Downing Street, 17th February, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 96, of the 27th June, 1918, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa respecting the amalgamation of the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee, under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science," and the appointment of a committee of that Board under the style of " The Research Grant Board." I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. South Africa, No. 901. Sir, — Governor-General's Office, Pretoria, sth December, 1918, With reference to my despatch, No. 338, of the sth May, 1917, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a minute from my Ministers regarding the amalgamation of the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee, under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science," and the appointment of a committee of that Board under the style of " The Research Grant Board." 2. I should be glad if the request contained in the minute could be communicated to the proper quarters, as in the case of Ministers' minute of the 2nd May, 1917, No. 642. I have, &c, Buxton, Governor-General. The Right Hon. Walter H. Long, M.P, &o. Colonial Office, London. Minute No. 1844. Prime Minister's Office, Pretoria, 27th November, 1918. Ministers have the honour to inform His Excellency the Governor-General that the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee have been amalgamated under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science." Ministers further have the honour to inform His Excellency that a committee of the abovementioned amalgamated Board, under the style of "The Research Grant Board," has been established to advise on research in universities and cognate matters, and it is desired that notification of the amalgamation and of the formation of the Research Grant Board be conveyed to His Majesty's Government and to the Governments of His Majesty's Dominions. Ministers have the honour to request that notification of the amalgamation and of the formation of the Research Grant Board be conveyed to the various Governments, and that they be asked to furnish copies of all blue-books and documents and information on research organization, methods, and results obtained, for the information of the Board. F. S. Malan,

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No. 14. New Zealand, Dominions No. 118. My Lord,— Downing Street, 25th February, 1919. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a memorandum prepared by the Crown Agents for the Colonies, and of a circular issued by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, relative to the question of giving preference to products of the Empire in respect of Government contracts. 2. I would invite reference in this connection to the discussion at the Imperial War Conference, 1918, printed on pages 169-173 of the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 9177, containing extracts from the proceedings at the Conference. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosures. Memorandum on the Practice op the Crown Agents for the Colonies in regard to the Placing op Orders abroad. It has always been the endeavour of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, in purchasing stores for the Governments of the Crown colonies and protectorates, to give preference to British over foreign products. 2. Classified lists are kept of British firms manufacturing the different classes of goods, and any British firm that may apply is placed on the appropriate list or lists, if it can give satisfactory references to other Government Departments, public bodies, railway companies, &c, for whom it has already executed orders, and if inspection of its works by the Crown Agents' inspectors, in cases where such inspection is considered necessary, proves satisfactory. A few foreign firms are noted in separate lists, in case it might become necessary to invite them to tender, but the practice in all except special cases is to invite tenders from selected British firms only. Sufficient grounds for this practice in the usual cases are given by purely business considerations. Correspondence with foreign countries involves delay and cabling-expenses proportionate to their distance; and, as a certain amount of time is necessarily lost in transmitting indents from the colonies to the Crown Agents, the colonial Governments attach great importance as a rule to early supply. Difference in standards, designs, and specifications, and in engineering and business practice generally, and questions as to the difficulty of enforcing remedies for breach of contract, may sometimes be of importance. Shipping facilities and rates of freight have also to be taken into account. Above all, it is very frequently necessary to have articles inspected and tested, both during and after manufacture, by inspectors on the staff of or appointed by the Crown Agents, and sometimes also by responsible colonial officials at Home on leave of absence; whereas, if an order is placed in a foreign country, inspection may be impossible to arrange, and must in any case be costly and troublesome. It is, moreover, more difficult to arrange for modification of contracts or contract drawings which may be necessary during the course of execution. 3. The colonial Governments, however, sometimes ask for special articles of foreign manufacture which are not obtainable elsewhere, such as certain surgical requisites and drugs, or for articles which, being required for the renewal or extension of existing works or systems, must correspond to the existing types and must therefore be obtained abroad. Telephone apparatus may be mentioned as an instance of the latter. Tn such cases the Crown Agents supply what is asked for. 4. In other cases Continental or American firms may be invited to tender simultaneously with British firms. This, however, is only done if there are special grounds— e.g., because the colonial Government requiring the goods has suggested that this is desirable; or because the class of goods is not produced to the same advantage in this country; or because there may be special delays here due to strikes or other causes; or because there is reason to think that British manufacturers may be making a ring and quoting monopoly prices. 5. Tenders, again, are sometimes (but not frequently) invited by advertisement in the public Press, when replies received from foreign as well as British firms are considered. Copies of all such advertisements, it may be added, are sent to the Board of Trade Journal for publication. 6. In the comparison of foreign with British tenders the instructions of the Secretary of State are that, when it is clear that a very distinct advantage will accrue to a colony from the acceptance of a foreign tender, that tender should be accepted; but that when there is any doubt on the point the benefit of the doubt should be given to the Home market, in view of the advantage of the facilities for inspection which it offers. 7. The foregoing paragraphs indicate the practice of the Crown Agents in buying the products of the United Kingdom rather than those of foreign countries. Products of the British Empire overseas must, in regard to some of the business considerations enumerated above, be ranked with those of foreign countries, Thus, as regards facilities of communication and inspection,

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Canada is on much the same footing as the United States of America, and is unfavourably situated in comparison with France. On the other hand, certain British countries may, in the case of goods required for certain colonies, possess an advantage in freight rates over the United Kingdom— e.g., India in the case of goods required for Ceylon. As between the self-governing dominions and India on the one hand, and foreign countries on the other, the principle of preference set out in the last preceding paragraph is regarded as applicable in favour of the former. 8. On the whole question of giving preference to British over foreign products, attention may be drawn to the fact that the Crown Agents, as purchasers of goods on behalf of the Crown colonies, are not in the same position as the buying department of the United Kingdom or the self-governing dominions. They must, generally speaking, buy on the best terms possible, as otherwise the colonial Governments might make other arrangements. Thus the Crown Agents occasionally buy goods in the United States of America for the West Indian colonies, and if they refrained from doing this in order to supply British articles, and paid higher prices, the tendency would be for the colonial Governments to order from the United States of America direct. 9. The manufacturing capacities of certain parts of the Empire overseas have been growing and have in some directions been stimulated by the war. The Crown Agents will readily receive applications from manufacturing firms in the self-governing dominions, India, and the Crown colonies, to be placed on their lists for consideration when opportunities may occur for giving them orders, provided that they are actual manufacturers (not mercantile agents) and can give satisfactory references as explained in paragraph 2 above. It should be remembered, however, that such opportunities are not likely to occur at all frequently. Office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, London, April, 1918. Sir, — Treasury Chambers 3rd February, 1919. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to state that at a meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet of 30th December last the question was considered of giving preference in contracts by British Government Departments to products of the Empire. In this connection the Imperial War Cabinet had under consideration the following passage in a Treasury letter addressed to the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement on the 10th March, 1917 :— "It is the policy of their Lordships to purchase from within the Empire rather than from neutral countries, subject to arrangement of the necessary finance and also of shipping, in all cases in which any of the dominions are able to deliver the goods required on as favourable conditions as can be obtained elsewhere." It is the desire of His Majesty's Government that the preference in Government contracts here spoken of should be effective;" and, whilst they think it undesirable to lay down any exact percentage, they desire that, both in regard to the opportunities to tender and in regardto prices, the dominions, colonies, and protectorates should have the full advantage of their decision. I am, &c, Robert Chalmers.

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 41. My Lord,— Downing Street, llth March, 1919. With reference to my telegram of the 26th February, regarding wireless call-signals, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government is taking steps to obtain a reconsideration of the whole question of the allocation of international call-signals for ships, land stations, and aircraft, with a view to the preparation of a scheme to be agreed upon by the Allied Governments and presented at the next International Radio-telegraphic Conference. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G,'G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 16. New Zealand, Dominions No. 196. My Lord, Downing Street, 17th March, 1919. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an extract from the Board of Trade Journal of the 27th February, containing the Time Charters Order, 1919, of the Shipping Controller. I have, &c, 11 5 MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G,'G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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Enclosure. The Time Charters Order, 1919. The: Time Charters Order, 1919, dated llth February, 1919, has been made by the Shipping Controller under Regulation 39bbb of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The Shipping Controller, in pursuance of the powers conferred on him by Regulation 39bbb of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following order : — 1. This order may be cited as the Time Charters Order, 1919. 2. (1.) No person being the owner or disponent of any ship registered in the United Kingdom not fitted for the carriage of passengers, or holding a passenger certificate issued by the Board of Trade, shall time-charter that ship at a rate in excess of the rates specified in the schedule to this order without first submitting a true copy of the charter-party to the Shipping Controller and obtaining his approval, thereof; and any charter-party not so approved by the Shipping Controller shall be void : Provided that this article shall not apply to any ship time-chartered for the purpose of trading between the ports and in the waters mentioned in the Limitation of Freights (French and Belgian Ports) Orders, 1918 and 1919. (2.) No person shall pay or receive, or agree to pay or receive, as the case may be, directly or indirectly, or in any manner whatsoever, any freight, hire, or other remuneration under or in respect of any contract or charter-party to which this order applies —viz, charters at rates in excess of the schedule—unless and until the charter-party has been approved by the Shipping Controller. (3.) There shall be included in every time charter to which this order applies a clause to the following effect : " It is agreed that this charter shall be valid only as respects voyages for which licenses are duly granted by the Shipping Controller under Regulation 39dd of the Defence of the Realm Regulations." (4.) This order shall come into force on the llth day of February, 1919. Schedule. s. d. Not exceeding 500 tons gross ... 50 0 ) Per ton „ ross regigt er per month, exclusive Exceeding 500 and not exceeding 750 tons of cost of war-risk insurance. gross ... ... ... ... 42 _B J Exceeding 750 tons gross and not exceeding 1,500 d.w. ... ... ... 31 0 ) Exceeding 1,500 and not exceeding 2,500 Per ton dead-weight per month, exclusive of tons d.w. ... ... ... ... 28 0 cost of war-risk insurance. Exceeding 2,500 tons d.w. ... ... 25 0 j

No. 17. New Zealand, Dominions No. 209. My Lord, — Downing Street, 24th March, 1919. In confirmation of my telegram of the 28th February I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of Army Council Instruction No, 41 of 1919, regarding the upper limit of age for attendance at the Army Entrance Examination to be held in June, 1919, for the purpose of gaining admission to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, or the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, with the object of qualifying for a permanent commission in the Army. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. Army Council Instruction No. 41 op 1919. 41. Army Entrance Examination, June, 1919. Age-limits. 1 With reference to A.C.I. 497 of 1918, it has been decided that the upper limit of age for attendance at the Army Entrance Examination to be held in June 1919, for the purpose of gaining admission to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, or the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, with the object of qualifying for a permanent commission, shall be nineteen, the only exception will be in the case of a candidate who is serving, or has served satisfactorily in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Regular Army, Special Reserve, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, Militia Territorial Force, Forces of the overseas dominions, or Royal Air lorce, and is recommended by his Commanding Officer as suitable in all respects for appointment to a permanent commission in the Regular Army, in which case the upper age-limit will remain twenty-one. 2 An Army order ariiending the provisional regulations will shortly be issued. By Command of the Army Council, R. L, Meade,

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No. 18. New Zealand, Dominions No. 238. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st March, 1919. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that it is understood that the French Government propose to call an International Conference of the Allied Nations at Paris to discuss meteorological questions of common interest in the course of this year. The date of the proposed Conference has not yet been fixed, but it will be communicated to you in due course. 2. The various parts of the British Empire occupy positions of great importance in relation to nearly all questions of common interest in meteorology, but the Director of the Meteorological Office in London informs me there is, at the moment, no organized machinery for the exchange of views between the responsible meteorological authorities of the several parts of the Empire. It appears that the ordinary avenues of correspondence became more and more restricted as the war went on, and it is felt that they should now be reopened on more defined lines, because the scope of meteorological work has been very much widened by the experience gained during the war of national and Imperial requirements. In particular aerial navigation, which is likely to form a new means of communication even between the most widely separated parts of the Empire, is more dependent than other means of communication upon effective knowledge of meteorological conditions. 3. It would place the meteorological authorities of the United Kingdom, as well as those of the oversea dominions, in a much more favourable position for arriving at a common understanding at the International Conference of the Allied Powers, representing a great variety of interests, in as many languages, if they had first an opportunity, of exchanging between themselves information as to the position and progress of meteorological work in their own countries and their views as to the best ways of securing helpful co-operation. 4. His Majesty's Government propose, therefore, to invite the dominions and colonies which have organized meteorological services to send delegates to a preliminary conference of meteorologists of the various States of the Empire, to be held in London. It is thought that this conference could be held most conveniently during the week preceding the proposed International Conference at Paris, and its date will therefore depend on that of the latter Conference. 5. The agenda of the proposed preliminary conference may be summarized under the following heads :— (i.) The arrangements of observations and hours for (a) telegraphic reports, (b) climatological data with a view to the combination of the data in comprehensive maps for general meteorological purposes and the navigation of the air. (ii.) The organization of observations of the upper air, supplementary to the ordinary observations of meteorological stations, to meet the needs of aerial navigation, (iii.) The relation of the general meteorological services of the State to the special requirements of the Naval, Military, and Aerial services, which include, among others, the effect of meteorological conditions upon ballistics, sound-ranging, chemical warfare, and internal-combustion engines. 6. I shall be glad if you will inform me by telegraph whether your Ministers would wish to send a delegate to the preliminary conference, and, if so, if you will furnish me with the name of the person selected. 7. No formal invitations to the International Conference have yet been issued, but it is of course assumed that any delegate coming to the preliminary conference in London will attend also the International Conference. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 19. New Zealand, No. 60. My Lord,— Downing Street, 31st March, 1919. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 55, of the 24th January, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty to the High Commissioner for New Zealand regarding the administration of the Order notifying the terms of the award of the 1914-15 Star to His Majesty's Naval Forces. 2. Copies of the Order referred to accompanied my despatch under reference. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, c%c.

Enclosure. Sir,— Admiralty, 21st March, 1919. 1 am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to enclose a copy of an Order notifying the terms of the award of the 1914-15 Star to H.M. Naval Forces, including those of the dominions, and to ask whether the Government of New Zealand will undertake the determination of claims and administration of the decoration for the Forces under its control. The claims of officers and men lent from the Imperial Naval Forces will be dealt with here. It is requested that the star may not bo awarded to any persons not clearly covered by the terms of the Order without prior reference to this Department. Copies of any further Orders which may be issued will be furnished, as also will any additional information desired in respect of the award. Particulars of the Forces for which stars are required, with the number for each, should be notified to this Department, which will supply them with the necessary riband, in bulk, when available. ~. lam to request that a copy of the Medal Roll may be eventually supplied for record purposes. I am, &c, J. W. S. Anderson. The Secretary, Office of the High Commissioner for New Zealand.

No. 20. New Zealand, Dominions No. 261. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth April, 1919' With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 198, of the 17th March, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that the Regulations for Salutes for British Anniversaries, and those for Royal and Personal Salutes, which have been in abeyance since the year 1915, will be resumed as from the 31st March, 1919, and instructions have been issued accordingly by the Army Council to all commands abroad having saluting-stations, as laid down in paragraph 1807 of the King's Regulations. 2. A further despatch will be sent to you later with regard to the firing of international salutes. 3. I have to request that the intimation of His Majesty's wishes contained in my despatch under reference with regard to the ceremonial observance of his birthday on the 3rd June next may be modified accordingly. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

■ No. 21. New Zealand, Dominions No. 271. My Lord, Downing Street, 10th April, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 226, of the 29th May, 1914, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that 'the Director of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology has suggested that

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arrangements might now be made to hold at an early date the proposed Conference of Entomologists of the Empire which has been deferred during the war. 2. I shall be glad to learn whether your Ministers concur in the proposal for the assembling of a Conference at as early a date as may be practicable, and whether arrangements can be made for the Government Entomologist (or officer responsible for entomological work) to attend the Conference. I have, (&c MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 22. New Zealand, Dominions No. 279. My Lord,— Downing Street, 14th April, 1919. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 261, of the Bth April, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that it has now been decided that international salutes shall be resumed forthwith. 2. Instructions have been issued accordingly by the Army Council to all commands abroad having saluting-stations. I have, &c, MILNER Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

■- ■■ ',-' . No. 23. New Zealand, Dominions No. 355. My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth May, 1919. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information, of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Army Council Instruction (No. 280 of 1919) containing particulars of the scheme which His Majesty's Government have adopted for providing higher education and training for exofficers and for men of similar educational qualifications. 2. I shall be glad to learn whether your Ministers have adopted, or contemplate adopting, any schemes of a like nature for members of their own Forces, and, if so, whether such schemes or the financial assistance given therein would be extended to — (a) Persons previously domiciled in New Zealand who have served in the Forces of the United Kingdom, or in any Force for which payment is made out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, or in the Forces of one of the other self-governing Dominions; (b) persons previously domiciled elsewhere than in New Zealand who have served in the New Zealand Forces; and (c) other ex-servioe men of British nationality. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. Army Council Instruction No. 280 of 1919. ~.,. War Office, 28th April, 1919. 280. Higher Education and Training for ex-Officers and Men of similar Educational Qualifications — Provision for Financial Assistance. . . 1. It has been decided that ex-officers and men of similar educational qualifications and of British nationality, whether ordinarily domiciled in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, if they have served during this war in the Naval, Military, or Air Forces of the Crown for which payment is made out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, shall be eligible for financial assistance to pursue courses of higher education at universities or other approved institutions, in agriculture, and in offices and works—(a) In the United Kingdom; (b) in the British Empire overseas or in foreign countries elsewhere than in the Dominion or country of a candidate's own domicile.

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2. Forces of the Crown for which payment is made out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom include the following : — (a.) (i.) The Royal Navy; including— (ii.) The Royal Naval Reserve, (iii.) The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. (b.) The Royal Marines. (c.) (i.) The Regular Army, (ii.) The Special Reserve, (iii.) The Territorial Force, (iv.) The New Armies. *(v.) Contingents furnished by the Union of South Africa, *(vi.) The British West Indies Regiment. *(vii.) The Newfoundland Forestry Corps. *(d.) (i.) The Indian Army Reserve of Officers. *(ii.) Temporary Officers, Indian Army. (c.) The Royal Air Force. 3. The privilege of receiving financial assistance for training overseas or in foreign countries will only be granted for special reasons and in a limited number of cases. 4. (a.) Candidates ordinarily domiciled in the United Kingdom should apply to the District Director, Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour, nearest to their own home. (The districts and addresses of their Directors are detailed in Appendix A.) (b.) Candidates not ordinarily domiciled in the United Kingdom should apply to the Director, Overseas Appointments Bureau, Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour, St. Ermin's Hotel, London S.W. 1. ' 5. (a.) Serving candidates should forward their applications on A.F. Z. 15, obtainable from Commanding Officers, or on D.O. form obtainable from all District Directorates of the Appointments Department, Ministry of Labour. (6.) Discharged and demobilized candidates should forward their applications on D.O. form. 6. Forms upon which application is made for training overseas or in foreign countries should be clearly marked " Overseas " in the right-hand top corner. 7. General and special advice as to facilities for education and training may be obtained as shown in Appendix B. By Command of the Army Council, R. L. Meade. Appendix A. — District Directorates of the Appointments Department. No. 1 District: Queen's Hotel, Leonard Street, Perth. Counties included : Perth, Inverness, Argyll, Aberdeen, Forfar, Stirling, Elgin, Fife, Clackmannan, Kincardine, Ross and Cromarty, The Isles, Caithness, Sutherland, Nairn, Banff, Kinross. No. 2 District: Balmoral Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh University. Counties included: Linlithgow, Haddington, Roxbrough, Kirkcudbright, Wigtown, Lanark (with all area), Selkirk, Edinburgh, Berwick, Dumfries, Glasgow, Dumbarton, Ayr, Renfrew, Peebles. No. 3 District : 4 Cathedral Gates, Manchester. Counties included : Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, East Lancashire (Isle of Man), Cheshire. No. 4 District: Springfield House, Queen Street, Cardiff. Counties included: Denbigh, Merioneth, Montgomery, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Monmouth, Anglesey, Carnarvon, Flint, Brecknock, Glamorgan, Radnor, Pembroke. No. 5 District : 16 Blenheim Terrace, Basinghall Buildings, Basingham Street, 34 College Road, Leeds. , -Counties included: Northumberland, Durham, North Riding Yorks, East Riding Yorks, West Riding Yorks. No. 6 District: Lecture Hall, Castle Gate, Nottingham. Counties included : Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Rutland. No. 7 District: 111 New Street, Birmingham. Counties included : Worcester, Gloucester, Oxford, Hereford, Shropshire, Warwick, Buckingham, Berkshire, South Staffordshire, North Staffordshire. No. 8 District : Mansion House, Cathedral Yard, Exeter. Counties included : Cornwall, Somerset, Hants, Devon, Wilts, Dorset. No. 9 District: 14-18 Hills Road, Cambridge. Counties included : Norfolk, Northampton, Huntingdon, Hertford, Suffolk, Cambridge, Bedford, Essex. No. 10 District: Horrex's Hotel, Strand, London W.C. 2. Counties included : London, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, Kent, Aldershot Command. No. 11 District : 64-65 Merrion Square, Dublin. Counties included: All Ireland (except counties shown in 11b District). No. 11b District: Grand Central Hotel, Royal Avenue, Belfast. Counties included: Donegal, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Down, Monaghan, Cavan. Overseas Appointment Bureau : St. Ermin's Hotel, Caxton Street, London S.W. 1. The British Empire Overseas, Foreign Countries.

* In these cases the pay, &c, is borne by the Imperial Government as a temporary war measure.

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Appendix B. — Advice as to Facilities for Education and Training. 1. General advice as to facilities for all sorts of training in the United Kingdom can be obtained from the District Directorates of the Appointments Department. 2. Special advice as to facilities for training can be obtained :— (a.) As regards higher education in the United Kingdom and at foreign universities : Service Students Bureau, Board of Education, King Charles Street, Whitehall, London S.W. 1. (&.) As regards office and works training:— (i.) In the United Kingdom—At any District Directorate of the Appointments Department, (ii.) Overseas or in foreign countries —At Overseas Appointments Bureau, Appointments Department, St. Ermin's Hotel, London S.W. 1. (c.) Agricultural training in the United Kingdom : Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Whitehall Place, London S.W 7 . I. (d.) As regards universities (including facilities for agricultural education in the British Empire overseas) : — (i.) Canadian Universities : Khaki University of Canada, 1 Charing Cross, London S.W. 1. (ii.) Australian Universities : Australian Universities Committee, c/o Director of Education, Australian Imperial Force. 32 Grosvenor Place, London S.W. 1. (iii.) University of New Zealand : Director of Education, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 78 Gray's Inn Road, London W.C. I. (iv.) South African Universities : Staff Officer, South African Military Forces, 65 Victoria Street, London S.W. 1. or, as regards (i) or (iv) above, —The Secretary, Imperial Education Committee, War Office (S.D. 8), Adastral House, Victoria Embankment, London E.C. 4. Special forms of application applicable to universities in the British Empire overseas can also be obtained at the addresses given in (5) (ii) and (d). Special forms of application applicable to foreign universities may be obtained at the address given in (a).

No. 24. New Zealand, Dominions No. 360. My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth May, 1919. At the desire of Her Majesty the Queen, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a medal struck at the time of the Investiture of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon. The medal was designed by Sir W. Goscombe, R.A. The Queen thinks that some representative institution in New Zealand would be glad to possess this medal, which commemorates an event of so much interest in the life of His Royal Highness, and it will give great pleasure to Her Majesty to present it to such institution as your Ministers may think most suitable. I have, &c„ MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1910. No. 18.

No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 365. My Lord,— Downing Street, 10th May, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's telegram of the 13th August, 1918, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that His Majesty's Government have now decided to allow changes of names of merchant ships. 2. The conditions on which the change of a ship's name may be authorized have been amended to provide that the name proposed must not already be the name of a registered British ship, or a name which has been on the register at any time within the last twelve months, or so similar to any such name as to be calculated to deceive. A name which is already the name of another ship or has been on the register during the last twelve months may, however, be allowed (a) if the vessel is used solely as a pleasure yacht, (b) if the vessel is intended to replace another of the same name, and belonging to the same owner, whose register has been closed or whose name has been changed, or (c) in the case of vessels plying.only within a harbour and known by numbers, if the number

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proposed is not already the number of one of the vessels plying in the harbour. In, such cases a full statement of the circumstances must be submitted with the application. 3. Advertisements of the proposed change of name are again enforced. 4. The Board of Trade would be glad if your Ministers could arrange to adopt a similar policy. I have, &c, MILNER. 1 Governor-General His Excellency the, Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 26. New Zealand, Dominions No. 401. My Lord,— Downing Street, 21st May, 1919. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 355, of the Bth instant, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Departments concerned with the administration of the officers' universities and technical-training schemes in this country are receiving occasional applications for training in the United Kingdom from persons of British nationality who have served during the war in contingents paid for by the Dominion Governments. ,2. Your Ministers will be aware from the enclosure to my despatch under reference that persons who have served in contingents for which payment is not made out of moneys provided by the Parliament of the United Kingdom are not eligible for assistance under the scheme described therein, and I should therefore be glad to learn whether your Government has sanctioned or is contemplating any assistance towards the training of any members of the New Zealand Forces, for whose payment it is responsible, who may desire to take up courses of training in the United Kingdom. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 27. New Zealand, No. 100. My Lord,— Downing Street, sth June, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 186, of the 30th March, 1918, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had under their consideration, in conjunction with the Imperial War Graves Commission, the question of the marking of the graves of Naval officers and men who have died during the war, and that it has been decided, pending the erection of permanent memorials by the Imperial War Graves Commission, that such graves—other than those in the several theatres of war—shall be marked by the Admiralty with temporary wooden crosses. 2. Their Lordships inquire if arrangements could be made by Dominion Governments for the erection of wooden crosses over all Naval war graves in the Dominions other than those at Naval bases or those in the theatres of war which have been undertaken by the Military authorities. 3. I shall be glad if your Ministers would be so good as to cause steps to be taken to meet the wishes of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, should there be any Naval war graves in New Zealand which are not already sufficiently marked. 4. It is thought desirable that all crosses thus erected should, so far as possible, be of uniform dimensions and pattern. They should be constructed of 3 in. by 2 in. clean yellow deal, free from large knots and shakes, wrought all round, and with arrises chamfered and fair-chamfered ends, neatly notched together and securely screwed, with the end pointed and tarred for driving into the ; ground-

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Such crosses should be painted with three coats of white-lead in oil, and should be neatly lettered with the name of the deceased, his rank or rating, his official number, and the date of death. In the case of officers and men of the Jewish faith the emblem of the " Sign of David " should be substituted for the cross, and in the case of other nonChristians a plain board should be erected. As the crosses are intended as temporary markings only, it is desired that the cost of manufacture, inscription, and erection should be as near ss. as local conditions allow, and the amount expended should be recovered from the Admiralty. I take this opportunity of saying, with reference to your despatch, No. 186, of the sth September, 1918, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty would be glad to learn in what way, if at all, the Naval graves in New Zealand are marked. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the, Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 28. New Zealand, No. 106. My Lord, — Downing Street, llth June, 1919. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to bring to the notice of your Ministers, in case it has not been received direct, a request which I have received from the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia for specimens of postage-stamps which have been brought into issue by the abnormal conditions due, to the war, for inclusion in the Library Section of the Australian War Museum. 2. The stamps required may be classified as (a) occupation stamps, (b) wartax stamps, and (c) Red Cross stamps; and it is desired that specimens may be forwarded direct to the Secretary, Department of Defence (War Museum), Melbourne. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 29. New Zealand, Dominions No. 480. My Lord, — Downing Street, 18th June, 1919. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 302, of the 24th April, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that Joint Standing Industrial Councils have now been set up for the followingadditional industries : Waterworks undertakings, local authorities' non-trading services (manual workers), electricity-supply, gas, flour-milling, and boot and shoe. I have, &c, MILNER. . Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 30. New Zealand, Dominions No. 515. My Lord, — Downing Street, 28th June, 1919. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers t that His Majesty's Government have for disposal a limited quantity of decayed oak which has been removed from the trusses in the roof of Westminster Hall. 2. This oak is part of the original timbers of the time of Richard 11, and it is thought that the principal museum in New Zealand might be interested in having as a gift pieces of this wood.

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3. If this should be the case, the most convenient course would seem to be for the High Commissioner to arrange direct for the shipment of the wood with His Majesty's Office of Works. T have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 118. My Lord,— Downing Street, 9th July, 1919. With reference to Mr. Harcourt's despatch, No. 85, of the 28th February, 1913, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for .the information of your Ministers, seventeen copies of the Allied Signal-manual, with addendum, which takes the place of the British Signal-manual, together with a similar number of copies of instructions for the distribution thereof. Two copies of the manual are intended for the use of your Government. I shall be glad if your Ministers will cause the remaining copies to be distributed to the British shipowners' and shipmasters' societies, and to the various Boards of Examination for Masters' and Mates' Certificates in New Zealand, as in the case previously of the British Signal-manual. Arrangements are being made as far as possible for vessels to be supplied with copies of the manual by the Superintendent at ports of the United Kingdom; but, as a considerable number of vessels trade between ports abroad and do not for long intervals, if at all, come to this country, it is considered necessary to arrange for the distribution of copies by British Consular and oversea officers to vessels opening their agreements at foreign and British oversea (including Indian) ports respectively. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 32. New Zealand, No. 123. My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th July, 1919. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 21st June, containing a message of congratulation to the Prince of Wales on the occasion of his birthday. The telegram has been communicated to His Royal Highness, who desires that an expression of his appreciation of the message may be conveyed to yourself and the Government and people of New Zealand. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 33. New' Zealand, No. 133. My Lord, Downing Street, 24th July, 1919. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has appointed a Departmental Committee to advise him, inter alia, as to the further steps which should be taken to promote the development of agricultural machinery in this country. To assist them in their inquiry the Committee desire to obtain information as to the steps taken by British oversea Governments and the Governments of foreign countries to promote the development and use of agricultural machinery in their respective countries, including any action that may be taken to assist or encourage inventors of new designs. I should be glad if your Ministers would be good enough to furnish a brief statement o-iving the information desired by the Committee. I might add that

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the Committee are anxious to present their report with as little delay as possible, and would much appreciate an early reply to their request. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 34. New Zealand, Dominions No. 611. My Lord, — Downing Street, Ist August, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 209, of the 14th November, 1918, regarding the establishment of an Imperial Bureau of Mycology, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the following gentlemen have now been appointed as scientific members of the Committee of the Bureau :— Professor I. Bayley Balfour, M.D, D.Sc, LL.D, MA, F.R.S.; King's Botanist in Scotland; Regius Keeper of Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh; Professor of Botany, Edinburgh University. W. Bateson, Esq., M.A, F.R.S, Honorary D.Sc; Sheffield Director John Inncs Horticultural Institution, Merton Park, Surrey. Professor V. 11. Blackman, F.R.S, Sc.D.; Professor of Plant Physiology and Pathology, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. Professor F. 0. Bower, Sc.D, F.R.S.; Regius Professor of Botany, University of Glasgow. A. I). Cotton, Esq, F.L.S.; Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Professor J. B. Farmer, D.Sc, M.A, F.R.S.; Professor of Botany, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. A. W. Hill, Esq, F.L.S.; Assistant Director, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Professor W. H. Lang, F.R.S, M.B, D.Sc; Barker Professor of Cryptogamic Botany, University of Manchester. Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G, D.C.L, F.L.S, &o; Vice-President Royal Horticultural Society and Royal Colonial Institute, &c. Address —14 Crabton Close, Bournemouth. Sir David Pram, C.M.G, CLE, F.R.S.; Director, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. A. B. Rendle, Esq, F.R.S, F.L.S.; Keeper, Department of Botany, British Museum. H. N. Ridley, Esq, C.M.G, F.R.S.; ex-Director of Gardens and Forests, Straits Settlements. Address—7 Cumberland Road, Kew. R. A. Robertson, Esq, F.R.S.E.; Reader in Botany, St. Andrews University. A. E. Shipley, Esq, F.R.S, F.L.S.; Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University; Master of Christ's College, Cambridge. Professor W. Somerville, F.L.S. R.R.S.E, F.S.S.; Sibthorpian Professor of Rural Economy and Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford. • Professor J. W. H. Trail, F.L.S, F.R.S.; Regius Professor of Botany, University of Aberdeen. Professor S. H. Vines, F.R.S.; Sherardian Professor of Botany, Oxford University; and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. H. W. T. Wager, Esq, F.R.S.; Honorary Acting Professor of Botany, University of Leeds. Professor G. S. West, F.L.S.; Mason Professor of Botany, Birmingham University. Professor H. H. Dixon, F.R.S.; Professor of Botany, University of Dublin. G. IT. Pethybridgc, Esq, B.Sc.; Department of Agriculture, Ireland. 2. As regards the question of representation of the self-governing Dominions on the Committee, it will be appreciated that, with a view to

A.-l, 1919, No. 31 and No. 3.

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ensuring its efficient working, it is not desirable to add unduly to the number of members. It is accordingly suggested that the most convenient plan might be for each of the Dominion Governments to invite one of the existing scientific members of the Committee to represent that Dominion, and in addition that the Government Mycologist of the Dominion (if one has been appointed), or some officer performing similar duties, should be nominated as an ex officio member of the Committee. It will be recollected that a somewhat similar plan was adopted in the case of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology. 3. I should be glad to learn whether this suggestion commends itself to your Government, and, if so, which of the members of the Committee they would wish to represent them. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

No. 35. New Zealand, No. 140. My Lord,— Downing Street, 6th August, 1919. With reference to my despatches, No. 114, of the 26th June, and No. 118, of the 9th July, relating to the examination of masters and mates in the mercantile marine, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency copies of a circular instruction issued by the Board of Trade to Examiners, and notice to candidates for certificates of competency, regarding the substitution in the signalling examination of the Allied Signal-manual for the British Signalmanual. 2. The Board desire that the substitution may be effected in His Majesty's oversea dominions at as early a date as the examining authorities consider to be reasonable to candidates. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

A 1, 1919. No. 27.

Enclosure. Examination ot Masters .and Matuss.—lnstructions to Examiners anu Notice to Candidates, (Gii-eular 1610.) Hoard of Trade, Marine Department, June, 1919. Signalling. On and after the 31st July the British Signal-manual, which has hitherto been used in the examination, in signalling, of candidates for certificates of competency as master or mate, will be abandoned, and the Allied Signal-manual will be substituted for use in the examination. The Allied Signal-manual (together with an addendum) may lie purchased at the price of Is. Id. exclusive of cost of postage, either directly or through any bookseller, from His Majesty's Stationery Office at any of the addresses named below. C. Hipwoou, Assistant Secretary. Imperial House, Kiugsway, London W.C. 2, and 28 Abingdon Street, London S.W. 1; 37 Peter Street, Manchester; 1 St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 2.') Forth Street, Edinburgh; or from E. Ponsonby, Ltd, 116 Grafton Street, Dublin.

No. 36. New Zealand, Dominions No. 623. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th August, 1919. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 480, of the 18th June, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that Joint Standing Industrial Councils have now been set up for the following additional industries : The spelter trade, the iron and steel wire manufacturing industry, the music trades, the printing and allied trades, the needle, fishhook, fishing-tackle, and allied trades, and the carpet industry. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, RC„ G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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No. 37. New Zealand, Dominions No. 650. My Lord,-- Downing Street, 16th August, 1919. With reference to my telegram of the 9th August, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a notice issued by the Board of Trade relative to the grant of war-medals to the British, Dominion, Colonial, and Indian mercantile marine. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

A.-l, 1919. No. 28.

Enclosure. Notice to Members op the Mercantile Marine, and the. Pilotage, Lighthouse, and Fishing Services. War-medals. The following announcement has been made for public information :— I. —His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to signify his pleasure that the British War-medal which has been granted to His Majesty's Forces be granted also to the British, Dominion, Colonial, and Indian mercantile marine. hi the United Kingdom the medal, in silver, will be given to those who can supply such evidence as may be approved by the Board of Trade of having served at sea for not less than six months between the 4th August, 1914, and the llth November, 1918, inclusive; and those entitled to receive it will include licensed pilots, fishermen, and crews of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities' vessels, and of Post Office cable ships. In other parts of the Empire the qualifying service will be the same, but all details will be determined by the several Governments. ll.—His Majesty the King has also been graciously pleased to signify his pleasure that a Mercantile Marine War-medal be granted to the persons specified in the previous paragraph, who are qualified for the British War-medal, and who, in addition, can supply such evidence as may be approved by the authorities referred to in that paragraph of having served at sea on at least one voyage through a danger-zone. For this purpose a voyage through a danger-zone means — (a.) A voyage on a ship which entered or cleared a United Kingdom port, or a French port, or a Mediterranean port: (b.) Such other voyages in other parts of the world as shall be specified in a further notice. The medal will be in bronze, and the riband will be green and red arranged vertically, with a narrow white line between them. 111. —The authorities referred to in paragraphs I and II will determine whether any applicant is disqualified for the medals by reason of misconduct during the war. IV.—Officers, men, and women referred to in this announcement who, whilst serving at sea, were captured by the enemy or lost their lives through enemy action, or were precluded by disablement through enemy action from further service at sea before being able to complete their qualifying service for one or both of the medals, will be deemed to have qualified. V.—The medals earned by deceased officers, men, and women will be issued to their legatees or next-of-kin entitled to receive them. Vl.—lnstructions as to the submission of claims and other particulars will shortly be issued. Board of Trade, July, 1919. Instructions as to the Submission of Claims, &c, in the United Kingdom. (ft.) All applications should be made on the forms which are provided at mercantile marine offices and at the offices of Pilotage and Lighthouse Authorities. If, however, an applicant is unable to attend at any such office, a written request may be sent to the Marine Department, Board of Trade, London, for an application form. (b.) Officers, men, and women who have served during part of the war in the Royal Navy, R.N.R, or'under special Naval engagements (i.e., Form T 124 and its variants), in the Army, or in the Boyal Air Force, have in many cases performed service during some other part of the war which would entitle them to the Mercantile Marine War-medal. Such officers, men, and women will be awarded the Mercantile Marine War-medal if their claims are approved, apart from any further medal which they may be awarded under the regulations of the Admiralty, War Office, or Air Ministry. (c.) Qualifying service! will in all cases be service at sea, and not service in harbours, rivers, or other inland waters. (d.) Legatees or next-of-kin of deceased officers, men, and women will not be to participate in the preliminary distribution of medal-ribands, but must wait the distribution of the medals, to which the usual quantity of riband will be attached. (c.) The Board of Trade will be the sole judge as to whether applicants are qualified, under the terms of the foregoing announcement, for any, and, if so, for which, of the medals referred to. The preliminary issue to any applicant of medal-riband cannot by itself entitle the applicant to the subsequent award of the corresponding medal. Marine Department, Board of Trade, July, 1919.

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No. 38. New Zealand, Dominions No. 680. My Lord- Downing Street, 25th August, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 700, of the 6th December, 1918, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a circular which has been issued to shipowners and masters of the British mercantile marine, embodying an order made by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with a view to protecting British merchant ships from damage by mine when navigating in certain areas. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c

A.-l, 1919 No. 29.

Enclosure. CIKOULAR TO SHIPOWNERS AND MASTERS OF THE BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE. The following order has been issued by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty under the Defence of the Realm Regulations : — ADMIRALTY OHIiHU. In exercise ol the powers conferred upon them by the Defence of the Realm Regulations and all other powers thereunto enabling them, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty hereby make the following order with a view to protecting British merchant vessels, when navigating within certain areas, from the risk of damage by mine: — Part 1. — Use of Mine Protection Gear. A. I'assenger-vessels : — 1. British passenger-vessels equipped with the Otter protection gear are lo stream their otters on all occasions in the following waters : — (ft.) Baltic Sea, east of the meridian of Cape Arkona (long. 13° 28' E.). (o.) Mediterranean— (i.) iTCgean Sea: North and east of a line Thaso-Leninos-Tenedos extended both ends to meet the nearest point on the mainland, (ii.) Adriatic : North of parallel of latitude 40° 10' N. (c.) Black Sea : In depths of less than 180 fathoms. 2. Otters are to be streamed by British passenger-vessels if uncertain of position (i.e., in doubt as to being in approved tracks, channels, and fairways) in an area in the North Sea — Hounded on the west by the meridian of long. 40° E.; bounded on the north by parallel of hit. 56° 30' N.j bounded on the east by land; bounded on the south by land. 3. In all other waters otters are not required to bo used by British passenger-vessels, provided that the approved tracks, channels, and fairways are adhered to. H. Other Vessels :— 4. British merchant vessels, other than passenger-vessels, equipped with Otter gear are to stream their Otter gear on all occasions in— (a.) The Baltic Sea, east of Cape Arkona (long. 13° 28' E.) : (p.) The Black Sea, in depths of less than 180 fathoms. 5. Otter gear is not required to be streamed by these vessels in any other waters, but it is of the greatest importance that the approved tracks, channels, and fairways shall be followed upon all occasions. C. All Vessels :— 6. Senior Naval officers at ports from which ships are sailing may modify or add to these orders as demanded by local conditions. 7. To secure the efficient working of the Otter gear it must be properly adjusted, actually running, and adequately manned. The master or other person in command or charge of any British vessel who neglects to see that the apparatus is so adjusted, running, manned, and worked as required by this order will be guilty it a, summary offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations. Entry is to be made in the ship's log regarding the streaming and taking-inboard of otters. 8. Masters of vessels carrying deck cargo are to ensure that sufficienl space to enable otters to be handled efficiently is always left when loading. 9. Application must be made in respect of all vessels proceeding to the Baltic to have Otter gear fitted, if it is not already installed. 10. The Admiralty order dated 9th May, 1919, and published in the London. Gazette of 13th May, 1919, is hereby cancelled. Given under our hands, this 28th day of July, 1919. J. A. Ferguson. Admiralty, S.W. 1. A. E. M. ChAWIEid. Part 11. — Special Masthead. Lookouts. 11. The special masthead lookouts ordered to be carried and employed in ships of 2,500 gross tonnage and upwards, under .Admiralty order of the Kith November, 1917. are still to be employed in the areas mentioned in paragraph 1 hereof, and in the entire Black Sea, and, in addition, in the English Channel to the eastward of the meridian of Greenwich, and in the entire area of the North Sea to the southward of latitude 62° N, and east of the meridian of Cape

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Wrath. The special masthead lookouts are to be paid only while the ship in which they are borne is navigating in these areas, and vessels which trade entirely outside these areas should cease to carry and pay these lookouts. 12. This order is to apply to all ships to which Admiralty order of the Kith November, 19,17, in regard to masthead lookouts applied, whether fitted with otters or not. 13. The Admiralty order dated 16th November, 1917, and published in the London Gazette of the 20th November, 1917, is hereby cancelled. 11. 1. Correspondence on all matters relating to the fitting of otters in merchant vessels should be addressed to the Director of Trade Division, Admiralty, and marked " D.A.M.S. Section"; or in the various sea-ports to the local D.A.M.S. officer. 2. Telephonic inquiries should be addressed to Telephone No. Admiralty Extension 874; or in sea-ports to the local D.A.M.S. officer. 111. 1. Passenger-vessels which trade permanently outside the areas mentioned in paras. I and 2 of the above Admiralty order, and vessels other than passenger-vessels which trade permanently outside the areas mentioned in para. 4 of the above Admiralty order, may have their Otter gear and all fittings connected with it removed, on a certificate being furnished by the ship's owner that the vessel concerned will not be employed in the waters referred to in the respective paragraphs quoted. 2. Shipowners desirous of taking advantage of this arrangement should apply to the Officer in Charge, D.A.M.S., at the port where it is desired that the work of removal should be effected. 3. Should any ship from which otters and their fittings have been removed be ordered subsequently to go through the waters at that time scheduled, shipowners will be responsible that the otters and all fittings connected with them are reshipped and made ready for use before the ship enters the waters in question. The cost of this work will be a, charge against the owners. IV. This circular cancels Sections I to 111, inclusive, of Admiralty Instructions for British Merchant Ships, June, 1919, and will be embodied in addenda to that publication in substitution of those sections. Alan Hotham, Captain, R.N, Director of Trade Division. Naval Staff, Admiralty, Ist August, 1919.

No. 39. New Zealand, No. 162. My Lord, — Downing Street, 24th September, 1919. With reference to my telegram of the 3rd September and Your Excellency's telegram in reply of the 15th September, I have the honour to explain, for the information of your Ministers, that the Indian Government have been authorized to provide accommodation for your overseas officers at Quetta — i.e., for two Australian and two New Zealand officers. As the staff course expected to commence in September, 1920, will be for only one year, there would have been accommodation for two New Zealand officers simultaneously in 1920 had your Government decided to nominate any. When, however, it is decided to resume the two-years course the accommodation will allow of only one New Zealand officer being then sent annually to Quetta. It is not at present known when the two-years course will be resumed. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the, Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

A.-1, 1919 No. 3:i.

No. 40. New Zealand, Dominions No. 763. My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th September, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 554, of the 2nd October, 1918, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a notice issued by the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament regarding nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize for 1920. 2. I should be glad if your Ministers would cause the conditions of the prize to be made known to those bodies and persons who are qualified to nominate candidates. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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Enclosure. Nobel Peace Prize. All proposals of candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is to be distributed 10th December, 1920, must, in order to be taken into consideration, be laid before the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament by a duly qualified person before the Ist February, 1920. Any one of the following persons is held to lie duly qualified : (a) Members and late members of the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, as well as the advisers appointed at the Norwegian Nobel Institute; (/>) members of Parliament and members of Government of the different States, as well as members of the Interparliamentary Union; (c) members of the International Arbitration Court at The Hague; (d) members of the Commission of the Permanent International Peace Bureau; («) members and associates of the Institute of International Law; (/) university professors of political science and of law, of history, and of philosophy; and (17) persons who have received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize may also be accorded to institutions or associations. According to the Code of Statutes, section 8, the grounds upon which any proposal is made must be stated, and handed in along with such papers and other documents as may therein be referred to. According to section 3, every written work, to qualify for a prize, must have appeared in print. For particulars, qualified persons are requested to apply to the office of the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, Drammeusvei. 19, Kristiania.

New Zealand, No. 172. No. 41. My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd October, 1919. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 112, of the 24th June, on the subject of the proposed Entomological Conference. 2. I am glad to learn that your Ministers will arrange to be represented at the Conference, and I have advised the managing committee of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology that Mr. A. H. Cockayne will be deputed to attend on behalf of your Government. 3. The Conference will assemble in London on the 19th May, 1920, and if Mr. Cockayne on arrival will be good enough to communicate with the Director of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology at the British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London S.W, he will be furnished with particulars as to agenda and the place and time of meetings. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c

New Zealand, No. 182. No - 42 - My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd October, 1919. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 30th September, and to request you to inform your Ministers that the Minister of Health states that the agenda for the meeting of the Committee of the Office International d' Hygiene Publique at the end of October includes the discussion of the modifications which should be made in the Paris International Sanitary Convention, 1912, in respect of ships carrying plagueinfected rats, and also the question whether measures for the prevention of diseases, such as influenza, which are not at present the subject of international agreement should in future Conventions be made the subject of such agreement. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c,

New Zealand, No. 195. No - 43 - My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th November, 1919. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Naval Prize Tribunal has inquired whether there are any cases connected with the Prize Courts in New Zealand with which it is likely to be called upon to deal. 2. I apprehend that no proceedings at all have been instituted in the Prize Courts in New Zealand, but I should be glad to have confirmation of this statement in order that a definite reply may be returned to the Tribunal. I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

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