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, 1923 Session I-II, A-02

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Ordered to be printed and published in the Appendices by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 7th November, 1923. Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Vie sen ted in Imi h Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

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No. of Scries. Date. Subject. Page. I 2 :; i 5 6 1921. Nov. 2!l „ 29 Dee. 2 3 (> „ Hi Release of Austrian property in the British oversea Dominions British official wireless messages Proposed erection of an Imperial memorial at Ypres Identity registration system Official oensorship of cinematograph films Proposed establishment of a system of accounting in oonnection with the paroel-post service between New Zealand and the United States of America Annual report of the Royal New Zealand .Society lor the Health of Women and Children 2 2 2 :i :i :i 7 ,. 21 4 8 1) HI 11 1922. Jan. :il Feb. it April 13 „ 13 Imperial Bureau of Myology Service pensions of Royal Navy pensioners Request lor increased contributions to the funds of the Imperial Institute Bill to make heller provision for furthering British settlement in Mis Majesty's oversea Dominions Limitation of expenditure on armaments British Empire exhibition, mission in connection with the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement Act, 1920) Wearing of uniform by offioers retired from the New Zealand Territorial Forae Acts sanctioned Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement Act, 1920) Continuance for fen years of existing preferential rates of Customs duties Order iii Council providing for the iiitcrcliaiigcability of Commissions of offioers of the Royal Navy and of the New Zealand .Naval forces The Infanticide Act, 11122 .. Imperial Forestry Bureau Joint Select Committee on the Guardianship, &c, of Infants Bill, inquiry of the Tropical Diseases Bureau: Annual contribution Imperial Institute .. Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize for 1923 New Zealand History of the War, Volume 111 .. Order in Council postponing the ooming into operation of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, llll ! 4 8 6 6 12 13 I I 18 Hi 17 18 III „ 21 „ 27 Mav 8 „' 18 „ 29 June 24 July " Aug. 5 7 7 S 8 (1 12 13 14 20 21 22 23 21 28 211 27 ., 5 ., 10 „ IV Oct. 4 „ 2:s Nov. I ,, 1 „ 13 14 18 16 17 18 18 hi 19

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No. 1. New Zealand, No. 240. My Lord, — Downing Street, 29th November, 1921. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 309, of the 30th July, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of correspondence with the Austrian Minister in London on the subject of the release of Austrian property in the British oversea Dominions. 1 have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right lion. Viscount Jellicoe, C.C.8., 0.M., C.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. No. C. 15717/199/3. Sir,— Foreign Office, S.W. 1, sth August, 1921. In reply to your note, No. 1844, of the 17th June last, on the subject of the release of property of Austrian subjects in financial distress, I have the honour to iilonn you that this question has been referred to the Governments of the Dominions, and their reply will be communicated to you in due course. I have, &c, Monsieur (leorg Kranckenstein, &c. (For the Secretary of State). No. 3371. The Austrian Minister presents his compliments to His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, referring to the note dated sth August, 1921, No. (!. 15717/199/3, has the honour to stale that the Austran Foreign Office has written to this Legation that the Clearing Office iii Vienna would be most grateful if the question concerning the release of Austrian properly in the British Dominions could be dealt with as soon as possible, in order to settle this matter. London, 3rd November, 1921.

No. 2. New Zealand. Dominions No. 470. My Lord, Downing Street, 29th November, 1921. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 113, of the 22nd March, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the British official wireless messages previously sent out daily from Horsea are now sent out by the General Post Office from the station at Oxford (Leafield). 2. The messages are sent out at the same times as before— namely, at noon, 8 p.m., and midnight, Greenwich mean time ; but the wave-length employed is now 8,750 metres, in place of 4,500 metres as formerly. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c. No. 3. New Zealand, Dominions No. 482. My Lord,— Downing Street, 2nd December, 1921. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 395, of the 26th August, 1920, and connected correspondence, regarding the proposed erection of an Imperial memorial at Ypres, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that on further consideration His Majesty's Government have decided not to proceed with this memorial as a separate scheme. 2. It was thought that the object in view could be met by the memorials to the missing which are beinu or may be erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission, and accordingly it has been decided, so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, that all general war memorials abroad and general naval memorials in this country should be erected by and under the responsibility of the Commission. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe. G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 3. New Zealand, Dominions No. 482. My Lord, — Downing Street, 2nd December, 1921. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 395, of the 26th August, 1920, and connected correspondence, regarding the proposed erection of an Imperial memorial at Ypres, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that on further consideration His Majesty's Government have decided not to proceed with this memorial as a separate scheme. 2. It was thought that the object in view could he met by the memorials to the missing which are beinu or may be erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission, and accordingly it has been decided, so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, that all general war memorials abroad and general naval memorials in this country should be erected by and under the responsibility of the Commission. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe. G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

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No. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 483. My Lord, — Downing Street, 3rd December, 1921. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 328, of the 30th April, 1919, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the identity registration system, under which seamen have been provided with, certificates, which have been used, among other purposes, for production to foreign authorities who require seamen to possess evidence of identity and nationality at ports abroad, has been terminated. 2. This system was provided under Regulation 39 F.P. of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and when that regulation was withdrawn some months ago the authority for the continuation of the system ceased. In view, however, of the requirements of certain foreign Governments as to the possession by seamen of documents of identity and nationality, and for other reasons, the issue of identity certificates was continued ; but, as no sanction for the issue of these certificates now remains, and in view of the necessity for public economy, it has been decided to cease the issue of such certificates. 3. It is proposed that seamen already in possession of identity certificates shall retain them for production when required — e.g., to foreign authorities who require seamen to possess evidence of identity and nationality. Now that the issue of such certificates has been discontinued, seamen on first voyages and those who do not possess identity certificates may have to obtain passports if they wish to go ashore in foreign countries where such documents are required. The Board of Trade are obtaining information on this point. 4. 1 should be glad to learn whether the production of documents of nationality and identity is required before seamen are permitted to land in New Zealand, and, if so, whether the authorities would be prepared to accept as evidence a seaman's discharge-book (a) with, or (b) without, a photograph inserted, in lieu of a passport or identity certificate. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount .Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M.,' G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 249. My Lord, Downing Street, 6th December, 1921. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Secretary of State for Home Affairs is anxious to obtain information on the subject of the official censorship of cinematograph-films, which is understood to be in operation in New Zealand. 2. He would accordingly be glad if your Ministers could arrange for him to be furnished with reports giving as much information as possible on the nature of the censorship, the methods which have been adopted, and the results obtained. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Lxcellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 253. My Lord. Downing Street, 16th December, 1921. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 204, of the 20th December, 1920, regarding the proposed establishment of a system of accounting in connection with the parcel-post service between New Zealand and the United States, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that it has not yet been found possible to reach agreement in respect of a similar arrangement between the United States and this country.

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2. The " non-accounting " system, by which the United Kingdom and United States Post Offices each retained the postage 'collected in respect of parcels in transit to the other, was not unfavourable to the United Kingdom before the war ; but during the war it became unfavourable owing to the disproportionate number of parcels received by the United Kingdom Post Office on account of the presence of United States troops in Europe. Efforts to obtain some payment from the United States Post Office in respect of the excess parcels have not, however, so far been successful. As it is unlikely that any such payment will be made, and as the conditions in the Anglo-America parcel-post appear to be gradually approaching the normal, it may be decided not to press the United States Post Office to agree to the introduction of accounting. 3. The United States Post Office has recently concluded an agreement with the Straits Settlements for the payment by the office of origin to the office of destination of the sum of 1 franc per parcel. A similar arrangement is in force between the Union of South Africa and the United States, the amount payable in the latter c tse being cents per pound. It is therefore possible that the United States Administration would now be willing to agree to an accounting system for parcels exchanged with New Zealand if the New Zealand Postal Administration should desire to press the point. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 255. My Lord, Downing Street, 21st December, 1921. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch, No. 230, of the 27th October, and to request you to inform your Ministers that the two copies of the last Annual Report of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children have been laid before their Majesties the King and Queen, who were pleased to receive them very graciously. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jcllicoe'G.C.B., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 20. My Lord, — Downing Street, 31st January, 1922. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 275, of the 20th December, 1920, 1 have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Managing Committee of the Imperial Bureau of [Mycology desire to express their appreciation of the generous response which has been made to the appeal for the funds necessary for the maintenance of the Bureau on a sound footing. 2. It was estimated that the minimum annual income on which the work of the Bureau could be carried out was £5,000, and, as the amount promised approximately reaches that figure, the Bureau is now in a position to carry out the full programme of work contemplated at the time of its organization. With this object in view the committee have decided to undertake the publication of a monthly Review of Applied Mycology on the lines of the journal already issued by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology. 3. The first number of the journal will be issued during the current month, and I should be glad if the attention of all officers who are interested in mycological matters could be drawn to the accompanying memorandum which has been prepared by the Director of the Bureau.

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4. It is proposed at present to send ten free copies of each issue to the New Zealand Government, but if this number either exceeds or falls short of their actual requirements they will no doubt communicate with Dr. Butler direct, and at the same time will inform him of the address to which they wish the copies of the journal to be forwarded. The copies will in the meantime be transmitted to you. 1 have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, GOB., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. * L Review of Applied Mycology." The Imperial Bureau of Mycology has undertaken the publication of a monthly abstracting journal, the Review of Applied Mycology, for trie purpose of supplying, month by month, a. summary of the work published in all countries on the diseases of plants and various other aspects of economic mycology. The first number will lie issued in January, 1922, and it is hoped to complete a volume of between four and five hundred pages annually. Mycologists and plant pathologists often find it difficult to keep themselves informed of the progress of work in other countries. The publications in which an account of current work is given are, very numerous and are scattered through a very large number of journals, many of which only occasionally contain an article of interest. There are few, if any, libraries in which all these publications can be found, while the working mycologists in the overseas parts of the British Empire often have access to only a small proportion of them. The Committee of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology have accordingly felt that it is in the highest degree desirable to start the publication of a compact yet comprehensive survey of current literature dealing with the various aspects of applied mycology, on the lines of the Review of Applied Entomology published by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology. This survey will be in the form of abstracts in which special attention will be given to the diseases of tropical crops and similar matters of interest to mycologists in the overseas parts of the British Empire. It is fully recognized that the success of the Renew will depend largely on the co-operation of all those interested in the practical applications of mycology and plant pathology, and the committee earnestly appeal to all such persons to aid liy the prompt supply of local pub] cations and by keeping the Bureau advised of developments likely to be of interest to workers in other parts of the Empire, such as the outbreak of new diseases or the spread of old ones. Though the chief object of the new journal is to give an up-to-date summary of the current work bearing on the practical application of the study of plant-diseases to the reduction of the wastage due to such diseases in agriculture, the fundamental researches on which most, progress in this direction is based have a wider appeal. The Review will enable all those who are interested in the progress of science to follow the development of one of its younger branches. The pure scientist will, it is hoped, find many sidelights on the wider problems on which he is engaged, while the practical grower will be able to learn the experience in other countries with improved methods for controlling plant-diseases. E. J. Butler.

No. 9. New Zealand, Dominions No. 47. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th February, 1922. 1 have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have decided that the service pensions of Royal Navy pensioners who served in Dominion navies during the war shall be reassessed on the same scale as would have been proper had they served in the Royal Navy during the same period. 2. Under this ruling pensioner service to the 31st March, 1919, only will be taken into consideration. The concession is subject to the condition that pension contribution at the rate of £18 a year shall be paid by the pensioner for the period of service in respect of which the reassessment is made. If desired, the pension contribution will be recovered from pensions by suitable instalments. 3. This decision will not apply to pensioners who were serving in a civilian capacity. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency The Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c,

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No. 10. New Zealand, No. 73. My Lord,— Downing Street, 13th April, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 252, of the 10th November, 1921, and to request that you will inform your Ministers that the appeal addressed by Viscount Milner to the self - governing Dominions and certain of the colonies and protectorates for increased contributions to the funds of the Imperial Institute has in almost every case resulted in an increased contribution being granted, and that for the financial year 1921 22 the required total of £30,000 from the oversea Governments has been forthcoming. 2. This result is very gratifying to His Majesty's Government, and I have to request that you will convey an expression of their satisfaction and gratitude to your Government for the assistance given in maintaining the Institute. 3. As the continuance of the Grant of £10,000 per annum by His Majesty's Government is contingent on the total contributions from oversea Governments being made up to £30,000, I trust that I may rely upon your Government to contribute again in respect of the current financial year (1922-23) a sum of £1,000. Assuming that your Ministers are willing to assist in this way, it would be of advantage, if equally convenient to them, that the contributions should be made available early in the year. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 120. My Lord,— Downing Street, 13th April, 1922. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information ol your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a Bill to " make better provision for furthering British settlement in His Majesty's oversea Dominions." 2. This Bill, which is designed to enable His Majesty's Government to co-operate with Dominion Governments in a policy of State-aided Empire settlement (see Resolution X of the Conference of Prime Ministers. Cmd. 1474), has been read lor the first time in the House of Commons. It is intended that the second reading should be taken on the 26th April, as soon as the House reassembles after the Easter recess. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Empiee Settlement, A Bill to make Better Provision for furthering British Settlement in His Majesty's Oversea Dominions. Be it ENACTED by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by arid with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — Power el' Secretary of State to 00-operate in Schemes. 1. (1.) It shall be lawful for the Secretary of State, in association with the Government of any part of His Majesty's Dominions, or with approved private organizations either in the United Kingdom or in any part of such Dominions, to formulate and co operate in carrying out agreed schemes for affording joint assistance to suitable persons in the United Kingdom who intend to settle in any part of His Majesty's oversea Dominions. (2.) An agreed scheme under this Act may be either («.) A development or a land-settlement scheme ; or (b.) A scheme for facilitating settlement in or migration to any part of His Majesty's oversea Dominions by assistance with passages, initial allowances, special training, or otherwise ; and shall make provision with respect to the contributions to be made, either by way of grant of by way of loan or otherwise, by the parties to the agreed scheme towards the expenses of the scheme.

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(3.) The Secretary of State shall have all such powers as may be necessary for carrying out his obligations under any scheme made in pursuance of this Act: Provided that (a.) The Secretary of State shall not agree to any scheme without the consent of the Treasury, who shall be satisfied that the contributions of the Government or organization with whom the scheme is agreed towards the expenses of the scheme bear a. proper relation to the contribution of the Secretary of State ; and (b.) The contribution of the Secretary of State shall not in any case exceed half the expenses of the scheme ; and (c.) The liability of the Secretary of State to make contributions under the scheme shall not extend beyond a period of fifteen years after the passing of this Act. (L) Any expenses of the Secretary of State under this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament: Provided that the aggregate amount expended by the Secretary of State under any scheme or schemes under this Act shall not exceed one million live hundred thousand pounds in the financial year current at the date of the passing of this Act, or three million pounds in any subsequent financial year. Short Title;. 2. This Act may be cited as the Empire Settlement Act, 11)22.

No. 12. New Zealand, No. 76. My Lord, Downing Street, 21st April, 1922. With reference to my despatch, No. 126, of the 30th June, 1921, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of the reply [21st March, 1922] sent on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the circular letter from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations of the 17th January, on the subject of the limitation of expenditure on armaments during the next two financial years. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the ltight Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c. Enclosure. Sir,- 21st March, 1922. His Majesty's Government have received, and bad under consideration, your letter of 17th January (CL. 3, 1922), calling their attention by direction of the Council of the League, to the recommendation adopted by the Second Assembly on Ist October, 1921, on the subject of the limitation of expenditure on naval, military, and air forces during the next two financial years. 2. I am happy to be able to inform you that the further economies foreshadowed in the reply of His Majesty's Government dated the 2nd June, 1921, to the similar recommendation of the First Assembly have proved capable of realization, and the forthcoming estimates to be presented to Parliament of their national expenditure on armaments will demonstrate the very considerable reductions in all directions provided lor during the next financial year. 3. As pointed out in the letter of the 2nd June, 1921, above mentioned, the policy of His Majesty's Government on the question must be liable to reconsideration if the recommendation of the Second Assembly is not adopted by other Powers. I have, &c, 11. A. L. FISHEB. The Secretary-General, League of Nations, Geneva.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 78. My Lord,- Downing Street, 27th April, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 60, of the 4th March, and to request you to convey to your Ministers an expression of His Majesty's Government's appreciation of the action which they propose lo take to facilitate the work in New Zealand of the mission which is visiting the self-governing Dominions in connection with the forthcoming British Empire Exhibition. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

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No. 14. New Zealand, Dominions No. 144. My Lord,— Downing Street, Bth May, 1922. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 85, of the 13th March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 28th April, containing an Order in Council of the 21st April applying the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, to Western .Australia, and Tasmania. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Righl Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Windsor Castle, the 21st day of April, 1922. Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act. 1920, provision has been made for the enforcement in England and Ireland of maintenance orders made by a Court in any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom to which the said Act extends : And whereas by the said Act it is, amongst other things, provided that where His Majesty is satisfied that reciprocal provisions have been made by the Legislature of any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom for the enforcement within that part of maintenance orders made by Courts within England and Ireland, His Majesty may by Order in Council extend the sard Act to that part, and thereupon that part sha 1 become a part of His Majesty's Dominions to which the said Act extends : And whereas His Majesty is satisfied that the Legislatures of the parts of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom hereinafter mentioned have made reciprocal provisions for the enforcement within those parts of maintenance orders made by Courts within England and Ireland : Now, therefore, His Majesty, by virtue and in exercise of the powers by the above-recited Act in His Majesty vested, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows : — The Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, shall apply to the parts of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom hereunder mentioned I Western Australia; Tasmania. And the Right, Honourable Winston Spencer Churchill, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. Almeric PitzEoy,

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 91. My Lord, Downing Street, 16th May, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 47, of the 16th February, on the subject of the wearing of uniform by officers retired from the New Zealand Territorial Force, and to request you to inform your Ministers that in the opinion of the Army Council the privilege referred to in my despatch Dominions No. 399, of flic 20th September last, should apply to all ex-officers of the New Zealand Territorial Force who held commissions on the Active or on the Reserve List of the Force between the sth August, 1914, and the 31st August, 1921, whether embodied or not during that period. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Covcrnor-Ceneral His Excellency the Right lion. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

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No. 16. New Zealand, No. 99. My Lord,— Downing Street, 29th May, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 76, of the 22nd March, arid to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise J lis power ol disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Parliament of New Zealand : —■ No. 0 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending (he Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and twenty-two." No. 7 : "An Act to extend the Duration of the Treaties ol Peace Act, 1919." No. 8 : "An Act to amend the Law Practitioners Act, 1908." No. 9 : "An Act to amend the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1908." No. 10 : "An Act to amend the Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1913, arid Part IV of the Finance Act, 1921." No. 11 : "An Act to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908." No. 12: "An Act to make Provision for the Administration of Moneys derived from the Sale or Lease of certain Lands conveyed as a. Gift to the Crown by Sir George Hunter lor the Settlement ol Discharged Soldiers." No. 13 : "An Act to amend the Finance Act, 1921, in so far as it relates to Land-tax." No. 14 : " An Act to amend the Cook Islands Act, 1915." No. 15 : "An Act to extend the Operation of the Orchard tax Act, 1916." No. 16 : " An Act to make Provision for the Government of Western Samoa." No. 17 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and twenty-two." No. 18 : "An Act to make Better Provision lor the (J rant ol Patents and for the Registration of Designs and of Trade-marks." No. 19: "An Act to impose Duties of Customs and Excise, and to amend the Law relating thereto." No. 20 : " An Act to facilitate the Enforcement of Local and Foreign Maintenance Orders." No. 21 : " An Act to make Better Provision for the Payment of Duties on the Estates of Deceased Persons and on Property disposed of by way of Gift." No. 22: "An Act to authorize the Borrowing of Money in Aid of certain Public Works and Purposes." No. 23 : "An Act to amend the Banking Act, 1908." No. 24: "An Act to amend the Counties Act, 1920." No. 25 : "An Act to make Provision with respect to certain .Matters relating to Finance." No. 26: "An Act to amend the Public Contracts arid Local Bodies' Contractors Act, 1908." No. 27: "An Act to amend the Education Act. 1914." No. 28: "An. Act to amend the Mental Defectives Act, 1911." No. 29 : "An Act to amend the Native Trustee Act. 1920." No. 30 : "An Act to limit the Powers and Lights ol' Mortgagees and of Persons holding Moneys on Deposit." No. 31 : "An Act to amend the Public Holidays Act, 1910." No. 32 : "An Act to repeal certain Enactments and to amend and continue the Operation of certain Expiring Enactments." No. 33: "An. Act to amend the Family Protection Act, 1908." No. 34 : "An Act to amend the Valuation ol Land Act, 1908." No. 35 : "An Act to amend the Companies Act, 1908." No. 36 : "An Act to provide lor and limit Borrowing by Local Bodies for Revenue Purposes." No. 37 : " An Act to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920." 2—A. 2.

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No. 38 : "An Act to apply a Sum of Money out of the Public Account and other Accounts to the Service of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and twenty-two." No. 39 : "An Act to amend the Country Telephone-lines Act, 1912." No. 40: "An Act to require Deposits from Companies carrying on the Business of Insurance against Fire, Accident, and Employers' Liability." No. 41 : " An Act to amend the Life Insurance Act, 1908." No. 42 : "An Act to consolidate and amend certain Enactments of the General Assembly relating to Factories." No. 43 : "An Act to make Provision for the Management and Protection of Forests and for oilier Purposes in relation thereto." No. 44: "An Act to amend the Anzac Day Act, 1920." No. 45 : "An Act to make Provision for an Adjustment of Public Expenditure." No. 46: "An Act to consolidate and amend certain Enactments of the Genera] Assembly relating to Shops and Offices." No. 47 : " An Act to make Special Provisions applicable in the Liquidation of Loan Companies." No. 48 : "An Act to amend the Public Trust Office Act, 1908." No. 49 : " An Act to amend the Legitimation Act, 1908." No. 50: "An Act to enable Companies holding Existing Deposits to create Preference Shares in Exchange for such Deposits." No. 51 : "An Act to amend the Arms Act, 1920." No. 52 : "An Act to amend the Harbours Act, 1908." No. 53 : " An Act to amend the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, 1915." No. 54: "An Act to amend the Dentists Act, 1908." No. 55 : " An Act to facilitate the Settlement of the Lands in the Urewera District." No. 56 : " An Act to make Better Provision with respect to the Licensing of Land Agents." No. 57 : "An Act to provide for the Protection of Animals, the Regulation of Game-shooting Seasons, and the Constitution and Powers of Acclimatization Societies." No. 58 : "An Act to amend the Government Railways Act, 1908." No. 59 : "An Act to provide for the Exchange, Sale, Reservation, and other Disposition of certain Reserves, Crown Lands, Endowments, and other Lands, to validate certain Transactions, and to confer certain Powers on certain Public Bodies." No. 60: "An Act to amend Hie Housing Act, 19.19." No. 61 : "An Act to amend the Law relating to Crown and other Lands." No. 62 : "An Act to further amend the Laws relating to Native Lands, and to determine certain Claims and Disputes in relation to Native Lands, and to confer Jurisdiction upon the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court., and for other Purposes." No. 63 : " An Act to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908." No. 64 : " An Act to give Effect to the Report of the Commission appointed under Section Ninety-one of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1920." No. 65 : "An Act to amend the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908." No. 66 : "An Act to amend the Road Boards Act, 1908." No. 67 : " An Act to continue the Operation of certain Expiring Enactments." No. 68 : " An Act to amend the New Zealand Institute of Architects Act, 1913." No. 6!) : " An Act to amend the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908." No. 70 : " An Act to validate a certain Agreement entered into between the Minister of Railways, acting on behalf of His Majesty the King, and the Wellington Harbour Board in respect of the Work of reclaiming certain Portions ol' Wellington Harbour, and to repeal the Thorndon Esplanade Act, 1891."

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No. 71 : "An Act to amend the Electric-power Boards Act, 1918." No. 72 : "An Act to make Provision with respect to certain Matters relating to Finance." No. 73 : "An Act to make Provision for the Appointment of a Meat Producers Board, with Power to Control the Meat-export Trade." No. 74 : "An Act to appropriate and apply certain Sums of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works .Fund, and other Accounts to the Services of the Year ending the Thirty-first Day of March, Nineteen hundred and twenty-two, and to appropriate the Supplies granted in this Present Session." No. 1 (Local) : "An Act to authorize the Auckland City Council to issue a Consolidated Loan and to make certain Adjustments with reference to Loans ; to enlarge the Auckland Domain Cricket-ground ; and to validate, an Agreement between the Corporation of the City of Auckland and the Dilworth Trust Board." No. 2 (Local) : " An Act to amend the Dunedin District Drainage and »Sewerage Act, 1900, and the Acts amending the same." No. 3 (Local): "An Act to authorize the Invercargill Borough Council to expend certain Loan-moneys raised by Special Loans for Sanitary Drainage and Sewerage Works in certain Portions of the Borough for completing the Sanitary Drainage and Sewerage of the Whole Borough." No. 4 (Local) : " An Act to extend the Powers of the Judea Land Drainage Board." No. 5 (Local) : " An Act to empower the Tauranga Borough Council to raise a Loan of Twelve thousand five hundred Pounds." No. 6 (Local) : " An Act to amend the Tauranga Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1919." No. 7 (Local) : "An Act to authorize the Tolaga Bay Harbour Board to raise a Loan of One hundred thousand Pounds." No. 8 (Local): "An Act to amend the Christchurch Tramway District Act, 1920." No. 9 (Local) : "An Act to amend the Taieri River Improvement Act, 1920.'' No. 10 (Local) : " An Act to confer on the Auckland City Council certain Powers in regard to the Collection of Books and Manuscripts known as the Grey Collection and held in Trust to the Use of the Citizens of Auckland." No. 11 (Local) : "An Act to enable the Wellington City Council to cancel certain Debentures, and to issue other Debentures in lieu thereof." No. 12 (Local) : "An Act to provide for the more Convenient and Economical Collection of the Rates authorized to be levied by the Napier Harbour Board by certain Special Acts, and for certain other Matters affecting the said Board." No. 13 (Local) : "An Act to amend the Napier Harbour Board and Napier High School Empowering Act, 1918." No. 14 (Local) : " An Act to enable the Council of the Borough of Palmerston North to consolidate certain Loans." No. 15 (Local) : "An Act to divest the [nch-Clutha Road, River, and Drainage Board of its Powers as a, Road Board." No. 16 (Local): "An Act to enable (lie Picton Borough Council to lay out as a Public Highway certain Land vested in the Corporation of \\\e, Borough as a Recreation Reserve, .and to authorize the Sale of other Portion of the said Reserve." No. 17 (Local) : "An Act to provide for the Establishment and Powers of an Fllectric-power Board for the Metropolitan Area and the Suburban Districts of Auckland." No. 18 (Local) : " An Act to consolidate and amend certain Enactments of the General Assembly relating to the Whakatane Harbour." No. 19 (Local) : "An Act to constitute the Geraldine County River District." No. 20 (Local) : " An Act to confer certain Powers on the Whangarei Harbour Board."

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No. 1 (Private): "An Act to enable the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington to sell and dispose of certain Lands in the Archdiocese of Wellington, and to apply the Net Proceeds thereof in or towards the Purchase of other Lands in the Archdiocese and in or towards the Erection of Church and School Buildings, and to authorize the Raising of Money on the Security of the Lands so acquired, or any of them." I have, &c., WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 115. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th June, 1922. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 88, of the 3rd April, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of Your Ministers, one sealed and six plain copies of an Order in Council of the 20th June, applying the Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, to the Dominion of New Zealand. 2. This Order in Council has been issued consequent upon the passing of the New Zealand Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act (No. 20 of 1921) ; but I should be glad if you would invite the attention of Your Ministers to one materia] point in which that Act departs from the scheme of the Imperial Act — viz., that it refers throughout to the United Kingdom, whereas the Imperial Act applies to England and Ireland only. 3. Since Scotland, therefore, lies outside the scheme of the Imperial Act, it follows that it will not be possible for any provisional order made under section 4 of the New Zealand Act against a person resident in Scotland to be enforced in that country. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c, Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 20th Day of June, 1922. Present : r l'nio King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by the Maintenance Orders (Facilities tor Enforcement) Act, 1920, provision has been made for the enforcement in England and Ireland of maintenance orders made by a Court in any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom to which the sa : d Act extends: Anil whereas by the said Act it is amongst other things, provided thai where His Majesty is satisfied that reciprocal provisions have been made by the Legislature of any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom for the enforcement within that part of maintenance orders made by Courts within England and Ireland. His Majesty may by Order in Council extend the said Act to that part, and thereupon that part shall become a part of His Majesty's Dominions to which the said Act extends : And whereas His Majesty is satisfied that the Legislature of the part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom hereinafter mentioned has made reciprocal provisions lor the enforcement, within that part of maintenance orders made by Courts within England and Ireland : Now, therefore. His Majesty, by virtue and in exercise of the powers of the above recited Act in His Majesty vested, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows : — The Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, shall apply to the part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom hereunder mentioned: The Dominion of New Zealand. And the Right Honourable Winston Spencer Churchill, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein accordingly. Almeric Fitzßoy.

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New Zealand, Dominions No. 227. My Lord,— Downing Street, 7th July, 1922. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 56, of the 20th February, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a, Parliamentary Paper, Cmd. 1683, containing a despatch which I have addressed to the Governors of certain West Indian colonies, relating to the continuance for ten years of the existing preferential rates of Customs duties. I have. cYC. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Knclosure. West In dims. Despatch lo Ike Governor* <;/' certain West Indian Colonies relating to the Continuance for Ten Years of the Existing Preferential Rales of Customs Dalies. The Secretary of State lo the Governors of British Guiana; Trinidad ; Barbados; Windward Islands; Leeward Islands; Jamaica. Sic, Downing Street, 9th March, 1922. You are no doubt aware that, at a meeting of the Associated West Indian Chambers of Commeroe held in Trinidad on the 29th January, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Colonies announced that His Majesty's Government proposed to give to the West Indian colonies an undertaking that the preference on goods at present entitled to preferential rates on importation into this country shall be continued lor len years. 1 have now the honour to transmit to you, for your information, and for publication in such manner as you may deem advisable, a copy of a question on ihe subject which was addressed to me in the House of Commons on the 23rd February, together with a copy ol my reply. 2. The general depression nf trade throughout the world has not spared the British West Indian colonies. Great difficulties are being experienced by most, if not all, of their staple industries, and by none, I believe, more than by the sugar industry, in which so many of them are interested. His Majesty's Government tiave greal sympathy with the unfortunate position in which that and other West, Indian industries are placed, and it has been a, source of satisfaction to them to be able to give a practical proof of their sympathy by making a proposal which, if it commends itself to Parliament, cannot in their opinion fail to have important effects in restoring confidence in the future of all the West Indian industries to which the British preferential tariff applies. I trust that the hopes of His Majesty's Government in this matter will not be disappointed, and I hat the announcement of their intentions will reassure both those who are engaged ill production in the West Indies and those who mav be hesitating to embark their capital and their energies in extending and developing cultivation in i he colonies affected. :;. I shall be glad if you will communicate this despatch to the Legislature and to the public generally in the colony under your government. I have, &c, Winston S. Chukciull.

Enclosure. West Indies (Imperial Preference). SIR S. HoARE asked I he Secretary of Slate for the Colonies, Whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Stale for the Colonies announced at a meeting of the Associated West Indian Chambers of Commerce in Trinidad on the 29th Januarj that, the British Government had decided to make a, trade arrangement with Hie West Indies guaranteeing Ihe continuance for Ihe next ten years of the existing rate of preference ; and whether he lias any announcement to make on this subject ? Mb. Churchill: I have seen the report of the announcement by the Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for the (Monies, which represents in substance the policy which I lis Majesty's Government propose for the acceptance of Parliament, namely, an undertaking to tin' West Indian colonies that tlie preference on goods at present entitled to preferential rates on importation into the United Kingdom shall be continued for ten years. The undertaking would be that the Customs duties on such goods, other than spirits, shall bear to the duties on similar goods imported from foreign countries the proportions prescribed by the Second Schedule of the Finance Act, 1919, and that the Customs duties on spirits shall be lower, by not less than 2s. (id. per proof gallon, than the duties on foreign spirits of a like kind. His Majesty's Government do not consider that it will be necessary to make any formal agreement with the West Indies. They assume that the West Indian colonies will continue to accord preference to goods of the Mother-country throughout the period. The proposal for an undertaking to the West Indian colonies is due lo the representations made to His Majesty's Government thai the introduction of further capital is necessary to maintain and develop the main industries in the West Indies, and that the raising of this capital will be greatly facilitated if the producers can be guaranteed that the preference which they enjoy in the United Kingdom market will be assured to them over a definite term of years. Although the Hon. Member's question relates solely to the West Indies and has been answered accordingly, I ought to make it clear that there is no intention of giving less favourable treatment to goods imported into the United Kingdom from any other part of the Empire during the ten years in question.

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No. 1!). New Zealand, No. 145. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth August, 1922. With reference to Your Excellency's telegram of the 27th. March last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Order in Council, date;! the 14th July, providing for the interchangeability of commissions of officers of the Royal Navy and of the New Zealand Naval Forces. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the llth day of July, 1922. Present : Tut: King's Most Excellent Majesty, in Council. WHEREAS there was this day read at the Hoard a memorial from the Right Honourable the Lord, Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 12th day of July, 1922 (N.L. 18421/21), in the words following, viz. : " Whereas Your Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction the provision and maintenance by the Dominion of New Zealand of a Naval Force to be known as the New Zealand Division of the Itoyal Navy : "And whereas provision has been made by the Parliament of the Dominion of New Zealand for the application to the New Zealand Naval Forces of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment, and of the regulations for the Government of the Royal Navy for the time being in force as regards disciplinary mailers and for t he coming into operation in relation to the New Zealand Naval Forces of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911 : "And whereas it is desirable that the officers of the New Zealand Naval Forces shall he titer changeable with those of the Royal Navy, and that' all such officers shall rank with those of the Royal Navy according to their rank and dates of commissions : "And whereas this object will be secured if the officers of the Royal Navy and the New Zealand Naval Forces have commissions which will be effective both in the Royal Navy and in the New Zealand Naval Forces ; "And whereas subject to Your Majesty's approval it has been agreed between us and the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand that commissions which may lie granted for service in Your Majesty's Fleet, whether by us or by the Governor-General ol the Dominion of New Zealand shall include service both in the lloyal Navy and in the New Zealand Naval Forces, and that all naval commissions hitherto issued, whether by us or in accordance with the law in force in the Dominion of New Zealand, shall be deemed to have been issued for service in Your Majesty's Fleet: " We beg leave humbly to recommend that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased, by your Order in Council, to declare your approval of the agreement aforesaid, and to authorize us to grant commissions for service in Your Majesty's Fleet as hereinafter defined to any officers of the Itoyal Navy, and to authorize the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand to grant commissions for service in Your Majesty's Fleet as hereinafter defined to any officers of the New Zealand Naval Forces. " And we also beg leave humbly to recommend that Your Majesty may, by such Order in Council, declare that in all future commissions (hat may be granted in the Royal Navy or in the New Zealand Naval Forces the expression ' service in Your Majesty's Fieei ' shall include service in the Royal Navy and in the New Zealand Naval Forces. " And, further, that all naval commissions issued hitherto, whether by us or in accordance with the law in force in the Dominion of New Zealand, may be deemed to have been issued for service in Your Majesty's Fleet as above defined." His Majesty, having taken the said memorial into consideration, was pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to approve of what is therein proposed. And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are to give the necessarydirections herein accordingly. Almeiuc Fitzßoy.

No. 20. New Zealand, Dominions No. 275. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth August, 1922. T have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of Your Ministers, the aeconipanying copies of the Infanticide Act, 1922 (12 & 13 Geo. V, ch. 18). I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right lion. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Infanticide Act, 1922. (12 and 13 Geo. V, eh. IS.) An Act to provide that a Woman who wilfully causes the Death of her Newly-born Child may, under certain Conditions, be convicted of Infanticide. [20th July, 1922.] F>e it ENACTED by the King's Most, Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :— Conviction for Infanticide in certain Oases. 1. (1.) Where a woman by any wilful act or omission causes the death of her newly-born child, bur at the time of the act. or omission she had not fully recovered from the effect of giving birth to such child, and by reason thereof the balance of her mind was then disturbed, she shall, notwithstanding that, the circumstances were such that but for this Act the offence would have amounted to murder, be guilty of felony —to wit, of infanticide—and may for such offence be dealt with and punished as if she had been guilty of the offence of manslaughter of such child. (2.) Where upon the trial of a woman for the murder of her newly-born child the jury are of opinion that she by any wilful act or omission caused its death, but that at the time of the act or omission she had not fully recovered from the effect of giving birth to such child, and that, by reason thereof the balance of her mind was then disturbed, the jury may, notwithstanding that the circumstances were such that but for the provisions of this Act they imght have returned a verdict of murder, return in lieu thereof a verdict of infanticide. (3.) Nothing in this Act shall affect the power of the jury, upon an indictment for the murder of a newly-born child, to return a verdict of manslaughter, or a. verdict of guilty but insane, or a verdict of concealment of birth, in pursuance of section sixty of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861. [24 &25 Vict., c. 1.00.] (4.) Tin' said section sixty shall apply in the case of the acquittal of a woman upon indictment for infanticide as it applies upon the acquittal of a. woman for murder, and upon the trial of any person over the age of sixteen for infanticide it shall be lawful for the jury, if they are satisfied that the accused is guilty of an offence under section twelve of the Children's Act, L9OB [8 Edw. VII, c. (17] to find the accused guilty of such an offence, and in that case that section shall apply accordingly. Short Title and extent. 2. (1.) This Act may be cited as the Infanticide Act, 1922. (2.) This Act shall not extend to Scotland or Ireland.

No. 21. New Zealand, Dominions No. 279. My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th August, 1922. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 234, of the 13th June, 1921, and to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 171, of the 26th August, 1921, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that, owing to the prevailing financial stringency, the proposals of the British Empire Forestry Conference, 1920, with regard to the institution of an Imperial Forestry Bureau have not received the support which was anticipated at the Conference, and that the Forestry Commissioners are of opinion that it is expedient to postpone its establishment until after the next Imperial Forestry Conference, which the Conference of 1920 suggested should be held in 1923. 2. Meanwhile the Empire Forestry Association have arranged to proceed with certain work which can be taken over by the Bureau on its formation, and in this connection I enclose copies of a notice setting out the aims of the association, which was issued prior to the inaugural meeting in November last. 3. The Forestry Commissioners propose working in close touch with the association, whose work on the commercial side should be especially useful. They are, for instance, taking a leading part in preparing for the timber exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition, 1924, in assembling a permanent Empire commercialtimber exhibit, and in propaganda and trade information. The Commissioners are prepared to utilize the association's journal for the purpose of making known the results of research, experiment, and statistical work with which constituent parts of the Empire may be prepared to furnish them, and to that end they propose, subject to Treasury sanction, to give the part-time services of one of their officers to assist in editing the journal.

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4. In the view of the Forestry Commissioners, considerable advantages will ensue to the work of afforestation in all parts of the Empire if general support is given to the association by the various Forest Services and individual forest officers. 5. The Commissioners propose to undertake, certain work which will later be transferred to the Bureau, but the expenses will be met from their own funds, so that no question of contribution by the oversea Governments will arise until the Bureau is to be established. The main lines of the work will be : — ((/.) The collection before the next Conference of as much information as possible with regard to the. world's soft-wood supplies ; in this they trust that they will have the co-operation of all the Forest Services ; and (/;.) The co-ordination and dissemination of information regarding forestry research, experiment, and statistical work in progress throughout the Empire : certain reports have been already furnished to the Commissioners, and it is hoped that others will follow. G. I have also to state that, in accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Conference, the Forestry Commissioners are proceeding with a survey of the forest resources of Great Britain, and that they hope that similar surveys are in progress or will be undertaken in all parts of the Empire, in order that the information may be collated in time for the next Conference. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The foundation of the Empire Forestry Association, of which lI.M. the King has graciously consented to be patron and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to be first president,, is the direct result of the deliberations of the Imperial Forestry Conference of 1920, which drew pointed attention to the fact that the absence of a continuous and constructive forest policy in many parts of the Empire is leading to the gradual destruction of their great sylvan resources without adequate provision for renewal. Owing, moreover, to the lack of easily accessible information regarding the durability, yield, and suitability for commercial use of various classes of timber, and to a certain want of co-operation in forest matters between the United Kingdom, the Dominions, and colonies, the Empire undoubtedly is not reaping the full advantage of the capital assets with which it has been so richly endowed by nature. So far as regards the adoption of a scientific forest: policy, responsibility must rest chiefly on the various Governments and official Departments concerned. But their task will be lightened if non-official agencies, such as those which already exist overseas, set themselves to educate public opinion on the subject of forestry and to supplement official activities by creating a general " forest conscience," which In due time will insist upon the prudent husbanding of the imperial forest wealth and upon the advantageous utilization of the various commercial timbers grown within the confines of the Empire. It is in order to serve as a link between associations and individuals engaged in the work of forestry in all parts of the Empire, and to arouse public interest in this important subject, that the Empire Forestry Association has been founded, with a. governing Council representative of the United Kingdom, the Dominions, India, the Crown colonies and protectorates. Not the least important of the association's duties will lie the collection and publication of facts as to existing forest conditions and the future timber requirements of the Empire, coupled with the organization of meetings for the discussions of problems connected with the growth and utilization of timber. The formation of the association has met with the approval of all the Agents-General and other representatives of the Dominions and colonies; while the granting of a Royal charter indicates that official opinion regards the association worthy of countenance and encouragement.

No. 22. New Zealand, Dominions No. 297. My Lord, — Downing Street, 17th August, 1922. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Joint Select Committee on the Guardianship, &c, of Infants Bill (House

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of Lords) have inquired in which parts of His Majesty's Dominions the principle of the joint guardianship of father and mother over infant children is practised, and have asked that they may be supplied with copies of any legislation on the subject. 2. I should be glad to learn what answer may be made to the Committee so far as New Zealand is concerned. The Committee would be particularly grateful to receive a memorandum as to the working of any legislation that may exist dealing with this matter, and they have also asked whether any officers are likely to be in London in November next who would be competent to supplement such information. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 2:3. New Zealand, No. 201. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th October, 1922. ' I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the managing committee of the Tropical Diseases Bureau have approached me with a request that the Government of New Zealand may be invited to make an annual contribution to the Bureau. 2. The Tropical Diseases Bureau came into existence in July, 1912, as an expansion of the Sleeping Sickness Bureau, which was founded in 1908. The main purpose of the Bureau is to collect information relating to the prevalence, recognition, prevention, and treatment of diseases met with in tropical and subtropical regions, and to make this information available to all interested persons. This has been done by means of the Tropical Diseases Bulletin, which used to be published twice monthly, but is now published monthly. The Bulletin contains classified summaries of papers on diseases prevalent in the tropics and sub-tropical countries generally, taken from some two hundred journals published in various languages. Bach subject is under the charge of an expert, who is responsible for the accuracy of his summaries, and whose duty it is to point out errors when in bis belief statements made by the author are not correct. Thus the Bulletin does what no individual could do for himself, even if all the literature were at his disposal and his knowledge of languages were sufficient to enable him to follow the articles published in foreign journals, as it places on record with the minimum of delay every advance in knowledge of tropical medicine and hygiene throughout the world. 3. Every year three numbers of the Bulletin are published called " Sanitation Supplement of the Tropical Diseases Bullet in." These are obtainable separately, and will form an annual volume of about 150 pages entirely given up to applied hygiene or preventive medicine in the tropics ; in these supplements medical and sanitary reports from all parts of the British Empire, and from foreign countries outside Europe and North America, receive notice, and suggestions and criticisms are added. 4. Besides the Tropical Diseases Bulletin the Bureau publishes quarterly the Tropical Veterinary Bulletin, of which the object is to deal with diseases of domestic animals in tropical and subtropical regions in the same way that the Tropical Diseases Bulletin deals with human diseases. 5. Apart from the publications, the Bureau has built up a valuable library containing most of the journals and reports of which the contents are summarized, and these are available for consultation by medical men and others who come to this country from the Dominions, colonies, and other parts of the Empire. The Bureau library has now been amalgamated with the library of the London School of Tropical Medicine. 6. The Bureau is under the general management of a committee of which Sir H. Read, K.C.M.G., C.8., is Chairman and on which some of the most distinguished scientific men connected with tropical medicine are good enough to serve. It is maintained by grant in aid from the Imperial Treasury and contributions from

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India, Egypt, the Sudan, the Union of South Africa, the Commonwealth of Australia, and certain colonies and protectorates. The grant in aid from the Imperial Treasury, is £1,000, the contribution from India £500, the Sudan £300, the Union of South Africa £300, the Commonwealth of Australia £200, and colonial and protectorate Governments sums ranging from £200 to £50. 7. 1 feel sure that your Government will recognize the excellent work of the Bureau and the value of such an institution. I have, &c, WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellency the Righl Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 220. My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd October, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 227, of the Ist September, and to request you to convey to your Ministers the thanks of His Majesty's Government for the contribution of £1,000 which they have agreed to make to the funds of the Imperial Institute for the financial vear 1922 23. I have, &c. WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. Governor-General His Excellencv the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 390. My Lord, Downing Street, Ist November, 1922. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 423, of the 13th October, 1921, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a circular issued by the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament regarding nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize lor 1923. 2. I should lie glad if your Ministers would cause the conditions of the prize to be made known to those bodies and persons who tire qualified to nominate candidates. 1 have, &c, DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c. ■ Enclosure. Nobel Committee oh the Norwegian Parliament. Nobel Peace Prize. Ai.i. proposals of candidates lor the Nobel Peace Prize, which is to be distributed 10th December, 1923, must, in order to be taken into consideration, be laid before the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliamenl by a. duly qualified person before the first February, 1023. Any one of the following persons is held to be duly qualified : (a) Members and late members of the Nobel Com mi I tee of the Norwegian Parliament, as well as the advisers appointed at the Norwegian Nobei Institute; (l>) members of Parliamenl and members of Government of the different States, as well as members of the Interparliamentary Union; (<•) members of the international Arbitration Court at. the Hague ; (il) members of the Commission of the Permanent International Peace Bureau ; (e) members and associates of the Institute of International Law ; (f) university professors of political science and of law, of history and of philosophy ; and (</) 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 S the grounds upon which any proposal is made must be stated, and handed in along with such papers and other documents as may therein lie re 'erred 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, Drammensvei 19, Kristiania.

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No. 26. New Zealand, No. 235. My Lord, —• Downing Street, 7th November, 1922. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 232, of the 4th September, submitting for the acceptance of His Majesty the King a copy of Volume 111 of the New Zealand History of the War. 2. His Majesty has accepted the volume with much pleasure, and I have it in command to convey an expression of his best thanks. 1 have, &c, DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

No. 27. New Zealand, Dominions No. 399. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th November, 1922. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 214, of the 27th June, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of Your Ministers, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 7th November, containing an Order in Council, dated the 2nd November, further postponing the coming into operation of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, 1914. 1 have, &c, DEVONSHIRE. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 2nd day of November, 1922. Present: The Kino's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Win:i:i'.as on the 20th day of January, 1914, an International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and for purposes incidental thereto, was duly entered into by His Majesty and the other Signatory Powers more espec ally referred to and set out in the said Convention : And whereas a Statute I & 5 Geo. V, c. 50, intituled " An Act to make such Amendments of the Law relating to Merchant Shipping as are necessary or expedient to give Effect to an International Convention or the Safety of Life at Sea " (being the Convention above referred to) was passed on the 10th day of August, 1914, the Short Title of which is " The Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, 1914": And whereas by section 29, subsection (5), of the said Ad it was provided as follows : " This Act shall come into operation on the Ist. day of July, 1'.115 : Provided that His Majesty may, by Order in Council, from tune to time postpone the coming into operation of this Act for such period, not exceeding on any occasion of postponement one year, as may be specified in the Order" : And, whereas by divers Orders in Council the coming into operation of the said Aot has been from time to time postponed, and now stands postponed, by virtue of an Ord<pr in Council of the 20th day of June, 1922, until the Ist day of January, 1923 : And whereas His Majesty deems it expedient that the provisions of the said Act should be further postponed : Now, therefore. His Majesty, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, in pursuance of the powers vested in Him by the above-recited provision and of all other powers Him thereunto enabling, doth order, and it is he eby ordered, that the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Convention) Act, 1914, shall be postponed from coming into operation until the Ist day of July, 1923. Colin Smith.

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