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Pages 1-20 of 44

Pages 1-20 of 44

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Pages 1-20 of 44

Pages 1-20 of 44

A.—2

1928. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

I—A. 2.

Series! Date ' Subject. Page 1926. 1 Nov. 19 International Institute of Agriculture at Rome . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 ,,22 Imperial Bureau of Entomology .. .. . . . . - . . . . .. 2 3 Dec. 7 Importation of Books into New Zealand .. .. . . . . . . .. 2 1927. 4 Jan. 14 Invention of Dust-allaying Fluid by Mr. R. Gilbert . . . . . . . . .. 3 5 „ 21 Appointment of Canadian Minister at Washington . . .. . . . . . . 4 6 ., 21 Imperial Agricultural Research Conference .. .. .. .. . . .. 4 7 „ 26 Passports for Foreign-born Wives of Naturalized Canadian British Subjects .. .. 5 8 ,,28 International Congress of Soil Science.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 9 ,,28 Establishment of Airship Bases .. . . .. .. . . . . .. 6 10 Mar. 7 Debate on the Responsibilities and Duties of a Mandatory Power .. . . . . 8 11 „ 7 Imperial Institute .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. 9 12 „ 8 Government Experimental Farm, Falkland Islands .. . . . . . . 10 13 ,, 11 International Dairy Congress .. .. .. .. .. .. ..10 14 ,, 16 Agreement for the Agricultural Training of Youths from the United Kingdom . . . . 11 15 ,. 18 Form of League of Nations Treaties .. .. .. .. .. . . 13 16 ,, 19 Chilean Restrictions on New Zealand Stud Sheep .. . . .. . . 13 17 ,, 22 French Marriage Law .. .. .. . . . . . . . . 14 18 „ 23 Empire Forestry .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . 15 19 ,, 25 Poison-gas Factories in Soviet Russia . . . . . . . . . . 15 20 „ 29 Admission of Russians to New Zealand . . . . . . . . .16 21 April 4 Appointment of Irish Free State Minister at Washington . . . . . . 18 22 ,, 4 Permanent Court of International Justice .. .. . . . . .19 23 ,, 12 Territorial Waters .. .. .. .. . . . . . . 19 24 ,, 20 Appointment of a Liaison Officer at the Air Ministry . . . . . . .19 25 ,, 27 International Copyright Convention .. .. . . . . 20 26 May 9 Merchant Shipping (Anti-scorbutics) Order in Council . . . . . . 21 27 ,, 10 Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927 .. . . . . . . 22 28 „ 13 Treaties relating to Boundaries with Foreign Countries . . . . . . 23 29 ,, 14 Conference of Dominion and Colonial Surveyors . . . . . . 24 30 ,, 27 Transatlantic Wireless Telephony . . .. . . . . . . 25 31 June 15 Washington Hours Convention .. .. .. .. ..27 32 ,, 17 Appointment of a Botanist to visit the Dominion and Colonies . . . . . . 27 33 ,, 30 Operations of the League of Nations in Times of Emergency .. .. . . 28 34 July 4 Experiments in Wireless Telephony .. .. .. . . .. . . 30 35 Aug. 6 Travelling-allowances payable to New Zealand and Imperial Pensioners .. . . 31 36 ,, 27 Colonial Agricultural Scientific and Research Service .. .. .. . . 31 37 „ 27 Imperial Bureau of Entomology Report,. 1926-27 .. . . . . 35 38 Sept. 6 Transport of Pedigree Stock .. .. . . .. .. .. 41 39 ,, 8 International Congress of Domestic Economy .. .. .. .. .. 42 40 j ,, 13 Draft Convention concerning the Simplification of the Inspection of Emigrants on board Ship 43 41 ,, 14 International Congress of Entomology .. .. .. .. .. 44 I > I _ „

A.-7-2,

No. I. New Zealand, No. 242. Sir, — Downing Street, 19tli November, 1926. With reference to my despatch, No. 126, of the 14th June, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries has had under consideration the question of filling the post of representative of Great Britain on the Permanent Committee of the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome, which has become vacant owing to the death of Sir Thomas Elliott. 2. As regards Great Britain, the Minister has come to the conclusion that, at any rate for the present, there is no necessity to have a representative permanently resident at Rome, but that the business arising can be transacted by means of occasional visits and by correspondence; and he has therefore appointed Mr. R. J. Thompson, C.8., 0.8. E., an Assistant Secretary to the Ministry, as the representative of Great Britain on the Permanent Committee. 3. In view of the fact that the previous representative of Great Britain, Sir Thomas Elliott, also acted as the representative of New Zealand, the Minister has inquired whether it is the wish of your Ministers that Mr. Thompson should act in in the same way, either permanently or until such time as they may decide to make a separate appointment. 4. Should your Ministers so desire, it would no doubt be convenient if Mr. Thompson were to supply from time to time a report on the proceedings of the Permanent Committee of the Institute, with a view to keeping them in touch as far as possible with the work of the Institute and receiving any instructions which they might wish to give. 5. I should be glad to learn what reply your Ministers would wish to be returned to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. 6. A similar despatch is being addressed to the Governors-General of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., -G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 246. Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd November, 1926. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 17th November, stating that the New Zealand Government has decided to guarantee a contribution of £400 per annum to the Imperial Bureau of Entomology for a period of five years, beginning with the present financial year. 2. I shall have pleasure in conveying this information to the Managing Committee of the Bureau. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 260. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th December, 1926. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 211, of the 30th September, regarding the importation of copyright works into New Zealand, and to request you to inform your Ministers that, in cases where it is indicated in the notice given by or on behalf of copyright-owners under section 14 of the Imperial Copyright Act, 1911, that they desire the notice to apply to New Zealand or to the Dominions generally, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise will, as requested advise the persons giving such notice in

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future that it is understood that the importation into New Zealand of works believed to infringe copyright will not be prohibited until security in respect of all expenses and damages that may be incurred consequent on the detention of such works and in respect of any proceedings that may arise from such detention has been given to the Customs Department of New Zealand. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Eergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

No. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 34. Sir, — Downing Street, 14th January, 1927. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the First Commissioner of His Majesty's Works has reported that Mr. R. Gilbert, B.Sc., one of the officers of the Board of Works, has recently patented, under section 29 of the Patents and Designs Acts, 1907 and 1919 (Consolidated), an invention of a dust-allaying fluid known as " Dust-allayer " (Patent No. 236731). A brief description of the invention and its use, which has been prepared by Mr. Gilbert, is enclosed. 2. The Commissioners of His Majesty's Works and Public Buildings have agreed to waive their right to require an assignment to themselves of the said invention upon condition that the patentee should give to the Commissioners certain rights. An agreement has accordingly been concluded with Mr. Gilbert which provides, inter alia, that " The Commissioners or any other Department of the Imperial Government or the Government of India or of any British Dominion or colony protectorate or protected State may by themselves or their agents or contractors and others authorized by them at any time hereafter notwithstanding the existence of any patent that may at any time be in operation in respect of the said invention whether such patent shall have been granted in Great Britain and Ireland Isle of Man India or in any British Dominion or colony protectorate or protected State or foreign country use the said invention and any improvement therein or additions thereto which the patentee may make or discover whilst he is in the employment of the Commissioners for the services of the Crown in any part of the world at any and all times and notwithstanding any assignment or license or disposal of the said invention or letters patent which the patentee may execute grant or make and may sell any part-worn or surplus stock of articles made in accordance with the said invention improvements or additions or covered by the said patent and no royalty or other payment whatsoever shall under any circumstances be required in respect of such user or sale either from the Commissioners or any such other Department or Government as aforesaid or from their agents or contractors or others authorized by them." 1 have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Eergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The fluid consists of an oil of liigli flash-point and a suitable body mixed with a small percentage of cresols, preferably pale cresylic acid. It is applied to the surfaces to be treated with a mop, and should be well spread so that only a thin film is left, which will not be slippery owing to the type of oil used. (Excess oil left on the floor should be absorbed by sawdust or sand and then swept.) The oil film on the surface effectively prevents dust rising, and the usual sweeping and dusting operations can be carried out without dust rising. The cresols impart a slight carbolic odour which suggests cleanliness, and at the same time they have a preserving effect on the wood and a slight germicidal action. Floors do not require scrubbing with soap and water after use, but only a periodic treatment with the fluid, from every six weeks to three months, dependent upon the amount and type of traffic. It is largely used in the postal sorting-offices and libraries.

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No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 57. Sir, —- Downing Street, 21st January, 1927. With reference to my despatch, No. 265, of the 31st December, 1926, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 11th January, containing a notice relating to the appointment of the Hon. C. V. Massey as His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington to represent the interests of the Dominion of Canada. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart.. LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. [Extract from the London Gazette dated 11th January, 1927.] Foreign Office, 7th December, 1926. The King has been graciously pleased to appoint the Honourable Charles Vincent Massey to be His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, with the especial object of representing in the United States of America the interests of the Dominion of Canada.

No. 6. New Zealand, Dominions No. 61. Sir, — Downing Street, 21st January, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 511, of the 10th November, 1926, regarding the proposed Imperial Agricultural Research Conference, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of the resolution on the subject adopted by the Imperial Conference. 2. The following further recommendations on the subject were made by the Research Special Sub-Committee of the Imperial Conference " That the Conference should open on Tuesday, the 4th October, 1927 ; that Governments should be at liberty to send persons of outstanding position in agricultural research as well as Government employees ; that the main purpose of the Conference should be to work out methods of co-operation in the various branches of agricultural research (including farm economics) ; that Governments participating should be invited to prepare preliminary statements of facts and figures bearing on the special problems in which they were interested ; that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in London should be responsible for organizing the Conference on the lines previously arranged." 3. The Minister of Agriculture has accepted these recommendations, and is taking the initiative in making the necessary arrangements for the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference ; an organizing committee is being set up accordingly for the purpose. 4. With reference to your despatch, No. 21, of the 28th January, 1926, I should be glad to be informed as soon as possible of the names of the delegate or delegates appointed to attend the Conference, and, in so far as they are scientific workers, the particular sciences which they represent. It would also be of assistance if your Government would state any special administrative or technical subjects which they desire to have discussed, though it will no doubt be borne in mind that the technical discussions of the Conference will necessarily be largely limited by the extent to which the different branches of agricultural science are represented. In this connection reference is invited to the recommendation of the Research Special SubCommittee of the Imperial Conference (set out in paragraph 2 above) regarding the preparation of preliminary statements of facts and figures. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. [Extract from the Summary of Proceedings of the Imperial Conference, 1926.] Imperial Agricultural Research Conference. The proposal for an Imperial Agricultural Research Conference in London in 1927 was, at the instance of the sub-committee, endorsed by the Imperial Conference in the following terms : — " The Conference notes with approval the proposal to hold a Conference in London in 1927 representative of the organizations of the Empire concerned in agricultural research and its administration, for the purpose of discussing such questions as the extension of co-operation between the organizations ; the promotion of joint programmes of research ; the utilization of the results obtained; and the training, supply, and interchange of scientific workers. " The Conference urges the respective Governments to give the fullest possible support to the proposed Imperial Agricultural Research Conference."

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 23. Sir, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1927. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a circular to His Majesty's Consuls abroad regarding the issue of passports to the foreign-born wives and children of British subjects naturalized in Canada. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, 13art., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Passports for Foreign-born Wives and Children of British Subjects Naturalized in Canada. Sir, — Foreign Office, 18th November, 1926. I am directed by Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain, to inform you that separate British passports should be issued to the foreign-born wives and foreign-born minor children of men who have been naturalized as British subjects in Canada desiring to proceed to Canada for the first time. Such persons should not be included in the passport of the husband or father, as the case may be. 2. When passports are issued in such cases a warning should be given that the passport does not carry with it the right to enter Canada without further authority from the Canadian immigration authorities. 3. Extra copies of this circular are enclosed for transmission to consular officers under your superintendence who are authorized to issue passports. I am, &c., His Majesty's Consul, . W. Tyrrell.

No. 8. New Zealand, Dominions No. 73. Sir, — Downing Street, 28th January, 1927. T have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the United States Charge d'Affaires in London has conveyed an invitation from the United States Government to the Governments of the several parts of the Empire to appoint delegates to the First International Congress of Soil Science which will be held at Washington from the 13th June to the 27th June next. 2. In communicating this invitation the Charge d'Affaires intimated that the Congress is primarily intended to bring together a widely representative international gathering of specialists for the presentation and consideration of fundamental contributions to research in the soil sciences and the sciences closely related

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thereto. The Congress will be followed by a field excursion with the object of enabling delegates to become acquainted with the soil types of the United States. 3. The Charge d'Affaires observed that the extensive subject-matter embraced within the scope of the Congress makes it especially desirable that the delegates from the different countries should be as numerous and as representative of the various theoretical and applied aspects of soil science as may be possible. The United States Government have accordingly expressed the hope that the various Governments concerned will regard the Congress as of such a nature that it is to their interest to accept the invitation, and they have expressed the desire that a notification of the names of any delegates appointed may be made at the earliest convenient date. 4. I should be glad to learn what reply your Ministers would wish to be returned to the United States Government as regards New Zealand. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart.. LL.D., G.C.M.G. K.C.B, D.5.0., M.V.O &c.

No. 9. New Zealand, No. 24. Sir, — Downing Street, 28tli January, 1927. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to invite the attention of your Ministers to the recommendations of the Imperial Air Communications Special Sub-Connnittee of the Imperial Conference (which were adopted by the Imperial Conference at its fifteenth meeting, on the 19th November, 1926) on the subject of airship development. 2. The sub - committee recommended that — " In view of (a) the great potentialities of the airship, and (b) the present lack of constructional and other facilities, which must prove a serious obstacles to the early development of regular airship services, . . . the Governments of the Dominions concerned and of India should examine the possiblity of erecting nucleus mooring-mast bases, to be available for demonstration flights in 1928-29 by the two airships now under construction, and of instituting such preliminary meteorological investigations as may be necessary to facilitate these demonstration flights. . . ." 3. The Government of the Union of South Africa having decided to establish a mooring-mast base in their territory, the Air Council propose that a party should be sent to visit South Africa with the object of advising as to the selection of a suitable site for the base. The party will consist of Group Captain P. F. M. Fellowes, D.5.0., A.D.C., R.A.F., Director of Airship Development, Mr. M. A. Giblett, Superintendent of Airship Meteorological Work, and Flight Lieutenant S. Nixon, 0.8. E., R.A.F., of the Royal Airship Works. 4. It is further proposed, as a result of discussions with the Prune Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, that the party should proceed from South Africa to Australia, arriving at Perth on the 26th June. In that event they would also be available to visit New Zealand later, with a view to advising as the selection of a site in New Zealand, should your Ministers so desire, in which case it is requested that ample notice may be given in order that the necessary arrangements may be made. 6. A copy of the programme of the proposed visit is enclosed, together with a copy of a memorandum drawn up in the Air Ministry on the subject of " Technical and Operational Requirements of Site for Airship Base." I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Examination Sites for Airship-bases in Dominions and Colonies. Approximate Dates of Proposed Visits by Airship and Meteorological Officers of the Air Ministry. Flight-Lieutenant S. Nixon, 0.8. E., R.A.F.—Leave Liverpool by s.s. " Appam," January 19; arrive Freetown, January 29 (twelve days at Freetown) ; leave Freetown by s.s. " Abinsi," February II ; arrive Bathurst, February 13 (twenty days at Bathurst)* ; leave Bathurst by s.s. " Ediba," March 5 ; arrive Las Palmas, March 10 (five days at Las Palmas) ; leave Las Palmas, " Llanstephen Castle," March 16; Teneriffe ; arrive Capetown, April 1 (twenty-three days in South Africa) ; leave Durban, April 24 ; arrive Mombasa, April 30 (fourteen days at Mombasa) ; leaveMombasa, May 14 ; arrive Durban, May 21. Group Captain P. F. M. Fellowes, D.5.0., A.D.C., R.A.F., and Mr. M. A. Giblett.—Leave Southampton, " Armadale Castle," May 6; arrive Capetown, May 23 (eighteen days in South Africa). Group Captain Fellowes, Mr. Giblett, and Flight-Lieutenant Nixon.| —Leave Capetown, " Ascanius," June 10; arrive Perth, June 26 (four to six-weeks in Australia and possibly New Zealand) ; leave Australia, August 12 ; arrive Colombo, August 22 (seven days in Ceylon) ; leave Ceylon, August 30 ; arrive Bombay, September 1 (four weeks in India, including visit to Karachi) ; leave Bombay, September 30 ; arrive Egypt, October 9 (one week in Egypt) ; leave Egypt, October 16 ; arrive England, October 23. Air Ministry, sth January, 1927. Technical and Operational Requirements op Site for Airship-base. Weather Conditions. 1. The site should be selected so far as possible with a view to good weather conditions. There should be no hills or mountain-ranges within a distance of ten miles, as these are likely to cause disturbed currents, which may be troublesome when ballasting up or landing an airship. The local weather conditions are important, especially in selecting a site for a shed base with docking facilities, where an airship may have to be man-handled into the shed. They are not of so great consequence for an intermediate base with mooring-mast only, as the airship would always be flown from the mast and not handled on the ground. At the same time meterological conditions in the vicinity might affect the regularity of a service : i.e., a locality in which thunderstorms are prevalent would generally be unsuitable. Altitude. 2. A commercial airship will normally fly at a height of 2,500-3,000 ft.- While there is no difficulty in flying higher than this, every 1,000 ft. of height means a loss of about one-thirtieth of the total lift, and consequently diminishes the airship's carrying-capacity. It follows, therefore, that a site for an airship-base should be situated as near as possible at sea-level, since if an airship-base is situated 2,000 ft. above sea-level it would have less useful lift for freight. For the same reason the base should, if possible, not be sited so as to necessitate flying over mountain-ranges at the outset or in the early part of the journey, since ascent can only be made, by reducing the load of the airship, which is uneconomic from the operating point of view. On the other hand, when an airship has been flying for some time and has used up a certain weight of fuel an increase of height can be gained without the same loss of useful load. Area of Site. 3. A minimum area of about 600 acres is necessary for a shed and mooring-mast base, but a larger area up to 1,000 acres is preferable, in order to provide for future extensions —in particular, additional mooring-masts. A clear space of about 800 yards square (about 130 acres) will suffice for a bate with one mast and without shed, provided that there arc no buildings of greater height than 40 ft. within 300 yards of the aerodrome. As the space required for landing-operations at the mast is only about 100 acres, it is possible to use the remainder for grazing or other purposes. 4. All electric cables in the vicinity of a base should be laid under ground. The ground should be approximately level with good natural drainage and not subject to floods. Ditches should be covered over. Water-supply. 5. There should be a plentiful supply of fresh water for ballast and general purposes. Salt water is not suitable, owing to its corrosive action on aluminium alloys. As an approximate estimate of the total requirements the following figures are given : — For mooring-mast (ballasting, &c.) . . . . . . 50.000 gallons per day. For general purposes .. .. . . .. . . 20,000 gallons per day. For hydrogen production, assuming an output of 1,000,000 cubic feet per week — By water-gas process .. .. .. .. 20,000 gallons per day. By electrolytic process .. .. . . .. 3/5,000 gallons per day. By silicol process (temporary plants . . . . .. 200,000 gallons on one day per week. Average weekly total, say .. . . . . • ■ 700,000 gallons.

* The delay here is on account of obtaining passages. flt may possibly be advisable for one of the party (Flight-Lieutenant Nixon) to visit possible sites for intermediate bases between Australia and India, or South Africa, on the way back from Australia,

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Meteorological and, Wireless-telegraphy Arrangements. 6. A local meteorological section is necessary at each airship-base to deal with local conditions and to receive reports from other stations and transmit them to airships in flight. Too much importance cannot be placed on this organization, as not only is it an aid to safe navigation but it will also enable an airship to take the most favourable route and thus facilitate economic running of an airship-line. The main function of wireless telegraphy at an airship-base will be the transmission of the meteorological data and carrying-out of direction-finding work as an aid to the usual navigation methods. A local wireless-telegraphy set should also be available to relay messages through the nearest high-power station. The receiving-station and meteorological office should be housed as far as possible in the same building or in the immediate vicinity of each other. Air Ministry, sth January, 1927.

No. 10. New Zealand, Dominions No. 141. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th March, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 4, of the 4th January, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of the official report of the proceedings in the House of Lords on the 23rd February, containing a debate on the responsibilities and duties of a Mandatory Power in the administration of a mandated area (columns 210-219). 2. Copies of the question and answer in the House of Commons which is referred to in column 216 are also enclosed. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.,

Enclosure. [Extract from House of Commons Official Report, 15th February, 1927.] Tanganyika. 46. Mr. Ramsden asked the Prime Minister, Whether he is aware that the Governor of Tanganyika Territory, in a speech made at the opening of the Legislative Council, stated that Tanganyika is part of the British Empire and would remain so ; and whether this represents the views of His Majesty's Government ? The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Amery) : The phrase quoted by the honourable member is a colloquial summary of the exact position as defined in the immediately preceding part of the Governor's statement, where he rightly lays down that Tanganyika is mandated territory under British control, and that there is no possibility of its passing from that control. Mr. Ramsden : Was the Governor incorrect in stating that Tanganyika is part of the British Empire ? Mr. Amery : No, Sir, in so far as the phrase was used colloquially for the whole framework of administration and control, which is usually so designated. Of course, neither mandated territories nor protectorates are full British territory in the sense that the inhabitants are, ipso facto, British subjects. Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy : Is the right honourable gentleman aware that the mandates are allotted by the League of Nations, which can also take them away ? How is it right, therefore, to say that there is no possibility of a mandate being given up ? Mr. Amery : That is precisely what is not the case. The territory is allotted by the Allied and Associated Powers. The mandates are obligations which we have undertaken towards the League of Nations. They are in no sense a form of tenure which is held by us from the League of Nations, and the League of Nations is not in the position to transfer them or take them away.

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No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 140. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th March, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 275, of the 3rd July, 1925, and previous correspondence, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to invite the attention of your Ministers to the resolution adopted by the Imperial Conference on the 19th November, 1926, on the subject of the Imperial Institute, which is as follows " The Conference approves the steps taken to carry out the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923 for the reorganization of the Imperial Institute, and expresses its satisfaction at the progress which has been made since the reorganization." 2. In this connection I have been asked to call the attention of your Ministers to a proposal which has been made by the Director of the Institute with a view to the carrying-out of that part of the Report of the Imperial Institute Committee of Inquiry (1923, Cmd. 1997) which recommended that the Institute should act as the acknowledged clearing-house of information on all subjects connected with the development of raw products throughout the Empire, and the utilization of those products by firms in this country and in other parts of the Empire engaged in commerce and industry. Copies of Cmd. 1997 were enclosed in the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, Dominions No. 450, of the 29th November, 1923. 3. The Director suggests that, in order to carry this out, three things are necessary : — (i) The receipt in the Institute, with as little delay as possible, of the fullest information on these subjects, including the lines of research on which offers in the various Dominions and colonies are actively engaged : (ii) The collation by the Institute of this information : (iii) The dissemination of this information to all parts of the Umpire through the medium of the Institute's Bulletin. 4. Hitherto the Institute has depended largely with regard to (i) on annual reports addressed to the various Governments by their respective Commissioners of Agriculture and similar officials, and this entails considerable delay in many instances before valuable information of what is in progress elsewhere reaches officers to whom it might be of very real service. This applies especially to information in regard to research work. It is accordingly requested that your Government may consider the desirability of giving instructions that Commissioners of Agriculture or other technical officers concerned should make a regular practice of sending to the Imperial Institute twice yearly, on fixed dates —say, the 15th January and the 15th July—a report on the research work which they and their subordinates have been individually pursuing during the previous six months, giving in each instance some estimate of the progress which has been achieved. The staff of the Institute would then analyse these reports, and produce in the next number of its Bulletin a survey of the work done and the progress attained during that period in each part of the Empire. The Director proposes that the matter inserted should be arranged under headings of products, so that each officer interested in a particular product might see at a glance what investigations have been made in regard to it elsewhere. 5. In making these proposals the Director expresses his hope and belief that, if adopted, they will help to stimulate among all concerned the feeling that all are engaged on the important work of advancing the prosperity of not only one individual part but of all parts of the Empire. 6. I should be glad to be informed of the views of your Ministers on these proposals, and to learn whether they would be willing to co-operate in the manner suggested. ' have, &c., 8 L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Kergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 12. New Zealand, No. 49. Sir,- Downing Street, Bth March, 1927. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 237, of the 10th November, 1926, 1 have the honour to state, for the information of your Ministers, that the Officer Administering the Government of the Falkland Islands has reported that the Manager of the Government Experimental Farm and farm hand arrived in the colony on the 12th November last, and has asked that the thanks of the Falkland Islands Government may be conveyed to Mr. Munro for his good offices in the matter. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General I lis Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 13. New Zealand, Dominions No. 158. Sir, Downing Street, 11th March, 1927. 1 have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Eighth International Dairy Congress will be held in this country in -July, 1928. This Congress is being organized by a committee representing all aspects of the dairy industry in this country. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister of Health have appointed representatives on this committee, and the Congress, although conducted independently of the Government, has the full sympathy and support of both those Departments. 2. Considerable importance is attached to the development of the milk-supply in Great Britain; and the gathering of representatives of various nations, for the purpose of discussing questions relating to the production and consumption of milk and its products, and of seeing something of the position of the milk-supply in this country, should be of value in bringing the results of the latest knowledge and experience to bear on the numerous problems presented during the progress of milkimprovement. 3. It is hoped that a delegation representing the various interests concerned with milk and dairy-products may be organized in each country, and that in this delegation would be included official representatives of the Government. In this connection attention is invited to the suggestion of the organizing committee, contained in the preliminary announcement, copies of which are enclosed, that it would be desirable that a correspondent should be appointed in each participating country, to act as convener of the delegation, and to carry on correspondence with the organizing secretary of the Congress. I have, &c., 1,. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., feeEnclosure. Patron: His Majesty King George V. Honorary Joint Presidents: Right Hon. Walter Guinness, M.P. (Minister of Agriculture); Right Hon. Neville Chamberlain, M.P. (Minister of Health). Chairman of General Committee: Right Hon. Lord ICenyon, K.C.V.O. Treasurer: B. Ravenscroft, Esq. Organizing Secretary: A. D. Allen, 0.8. E. The Eighth World's Dairy Congress, July, 1928. Prelim inary A nnouncement. The dairy industry of the United Kingdom invites the official participation of all countries in the Eighth International Dairy Congress, which will be held in Great Britain in July, 1928. The seven previous Congresses of this kind have been of admitted benefit from the threefold standpoint of international relations, the development of all sections of the dairy industry, and public health : and it is hoped at the forthcoming Congress, by an interchange of scientific knowledge and the mutual discussion of industrial progress and problems in the milk industry, to intensify the good results already achieved, and to make further solid contribution towards attainment by all nations of a life of prosperity, health, and peace. Milk is an essential factor in national health, and the provision of that food, pure and safe, has become mors necessary but more difficult under modern conditions of life in congested areas. The

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problems thus presented, and many others connected with the use and manufacture of dairy-products, must be solved before milk can fill its place in the building-up and maintenance of bodily health. Towards this solution the forthcoming Congress will, it is hoped, play an important part. It will also fulfil a further useful purpose by focussing public attention on the unique food properties of milk, and on the advantages of an increased consumption of milk and dairy-products. In no country has milkconsumption yet reached the point which is scientifically recognized as desirable in the interests of human welfare. Thus from many different standpoints the International Dairy Congress is worthy of support, and it is hoped that every nation will make some effort to contribute towards its success. The Congress of 1928 will be held under the gracious patronage of His Majesty the King. The Right Hon. Walter Guinness, M.P., Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Right Hon. A. N. Chamberlain, M.P., Minister of Health, have consented to act as Honorary Joint Presidents. The Right Hon. the Lord Kenyon, K.C.V.0., is Chairman of the General Committee. The Congress is already assured of the full support of the British Government, and is being organized in association with the International Dairv Federation. It is probable that sessions of the Congress will be held in London, Reading, Edinburgh, and Belfast. Excursions will be arranged to places of interest throughout the United Kingdom, and every effort will be made to present to the delegates and representatives in attendance a comprehensive survey of the organization and methods of the milk industry of this country. The annual show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, which will be held at Nottingham during the period of the Congress, will afford visitors an opportunity of seeing the finest examples of dairy cattle in a country famous for its live-stock. Dairying in all its "aspects, including appliances, will also be made a feature of the show, which will thus provide business facilities of which some of our visiting delegates will no doubt wish to take advantage. With a view to making the Congress thoroughly representative of every aspect of the dairy industry it is proposed that the papers to be considered at the various sessions should fall within four main groups : — Milk-production. —All matters bearing on the production of clean, wholesome milk : The breeding, feeding, and management of dairy cattle; education and advisory work amongst milk-producers ; the technique of clean milk-production ; economics of milkproduction ; milk-recording; the improvement of farming methods; co-operative organization of farmers ; young farmers' clubs, <fcc. Milk Distribution and Manufacture. —Papers dealing (broadly speaking) with milk from the time it leaves the farm till it reaches the consumer : Transport facilities : marketing ; eo-operative distribution ; methods of processing milk ; manufactured products (butter, cheese, condensed milk, ice-cream, dried milk, casein products) ; dairy machinery; metals used in manufacture ; standardization of machinery ; milk-bottles, &c. Milk-consumption. —The importance of milk in the human dietary ; propaganda to encourage the consumption of milk. Administration and Control. —In this category will be included all aspects of official intervention in the milk industry, whether by way of the promotion or subsidizing of education and research, or by regulating the conditions under which milk and milk products may be produced, distributed, or consumed. The General Committee of the Dairy Congress, 1928, will welcome the attendance of all who are concerned in the subjects which the Congress will discuss—whether as producers, distributors, scientists, physicians, health administrators, welfare workers, philanthropists, or consumers. Eminent authorities from the British Empire and from foreign countries will be invited to deliver papers to the Congress, and there will be free ventilation and discussion of the latest knowledge and discoveries relating to milk and dairy-products. All accepted papers will be printed in English and such other languages as may be deemed advisable, and circulated before the Congress. It will be of great assistance if each Government will arrange for the nomination of a correspondent (whose name should be notified to the address given below) as the person responsible for correspondence on all matters concerning the representation of that country at the Congress, and for securing and transmitting to the organizers of the Congress the views of the industrial and scientific interests of his particular country, so that the programme when finally arranged may be of the greatest benefit to all. Further information can be obtained from the Organizing Secretary, the World's Dairy Congress, 1928. 28 Russell Square, London W.C. 1, England.

No. 14. New Zealand, No. 57. Sir, — Downing Street, 16th March, 1927. T have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an agreement recently concluded between His Majesty's Governments in Great Britain and New Zealand, and the Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition, providing for the agricultural training of youths from the United Kingdom at the Ruakura Farm Training College in New Zealand. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

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Enclosure. An agreement made the ninth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, between His Majesty's Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (hereinafter called the " Secretary of State ' ) of the one part, the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand (hereinafter called the " Dominion Government ") of the second part, and the Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition (hereinafter called " the Fellowship ") of the third part. Whereas under the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, the Secretary of State may co-operate with the Government of any part of His Majesty's Dominions and with private organizations in formulating and carrying out schemes of affording assistance to persons who intend to settle in any part of His Majesty's Oversea Dominions : And whereas the Secretary of State and the Dominion Government have concluded an agreement under the said Act for providing joint assistance in respect of passages to suitable persons from Great Britain who wish to proceed to New Zealand for the purpose of permanent settlement: And whereas the parties to this agreement are desirous of carrying oxit a scheme for the provision of agricultural training at the Ruakura Farm Training College in New Zealand for not exceeding twelve youths (hereinafter called " the youths ") from the United Kingdom : And whereas the Treasury have agreed to the terms of this agreement; Now, therefore, it is agreed as follows J. The Dominion Government undertake — (a) To arrange that the youths shall be given a one-year's course of training (with maintenance) at the Ruakura Farm Training College in New Zealand at the reduced fee of thirty-six pounds : (l>) To endeavour to place the youths, 011 completion of the training, in suitable farm employment at a satisfactory wage. 2. The Fellowship undertake— (а) To arrange for the selection for participation in the said scheme of not exceeding twelve youths between the ages of sixteen and nineteen : (б) To arrange for the names of the youths after selection to be submitted for the approval of the Oversea Settlement Department acting 011 behalf of the Secretary of State : {<■) To submit applications for assisted passages for the youths to the High Commissioner for New Zealand under the Passage Agreement between the Secretary of State and the Dominion Government dated the second day of April, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five, or any subsequent Passage Agreement between those parties : (</) To pay to or to the account of the Dominion Government, upon receipt from that Government of a certificate that a youth has sailed for New Zealand under this scheme, a sum of not exceeding forty-five pounds in respect of (i) cost of education and maintenance ; (ii) miscellaneous expenses, &c., in New Zealand : Provided that the amount paid in respect of (i) and (ii) of this clause shall not exceed thirtysix pounds and nine pounds respectively ; and the Secretary of State undertakes, upon receipt from the Fellowship of a certified copy of the said certificate and of evidence to indicate the sum paid by them to the Dominion Government,-to pay to or to the account of the Fellowship one-half of the said sum. 3. The Fellowship agree that should any refunds become due on account of youths who do not complete their training, such refund should in the first instance be paid to the Secretary of State ; and the Secretary of State undertakes as soon as possible after receipt to pay to or to the account of the Fellowship one-half of any sums so received by way of refund. 4. The Fellowship shall produce to the Secretary of State for inspection any document or accounts relating to cases in which assistance has been given under this agreement, if such documents are required to be produced to His Majesty's Comptroller and Auditor-General for audit purposes. Signed for and on behalf of ) the Secretary of State for [-■ Clarendon. Dominion Affairs. J Witness—Gerald Creasy. Signed on behalf of the Govern-^) ment of the Dominion of )> C. J. Parr, New Zealand. J High Commissioner. Witness —F. T. Sandford. Signed 011 behalf of the Fellow-"] ship of the British Empire !> Frank Fox. Exhibition. j Witness—V. C. Small.

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No. 15. New Zealand, Dominions No. 175. Sir, — Downing Street, 18th March, 1927. With reference to Your Excellency's telegram of the 6th March, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the meeting of the Council of the League of Nations, held on the Bth March, regarding the form of treaties to be negotiated in future under the auspices of the Leage of Nations. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.I)., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Geneva, Bth March, 1927. Form of Treaties to be negotiated in Future under the Auspices of the League of Nations. Declaration btj Sir Austen Chamberlain. As 1 understand that a conference under the auspices of the League may assemble in Geneva in July next, I think it may be convenient to my colleagues to know that at the meeting of the Imperial Conference in London last autumn it was found that for constitutional reasons, with which I need not trouble the Council, the acceptance by the Governments of the British Empire of treaties negotiated under the auspices of the League would be facilitated if a change could be made in the form in which such instruments are drawn up. It has been the practice for League treaties to be made in the form of treaties between States. The common practice before the Treaty of Versailles was for treaties or conventions to be made in the form of an agreement between the Heads of States. The Governments of the British Empire hope that instead of continuing the novel form adopted for the first time in the Treaty of Versailles, future treaties concluded under the auspices of the League may be made to conform to the general practice followed in the case of other treaties, and may be expressed as an agreement between Heads of States. I should add that I make this statement at the express desire of all the Governments represented at the Imperial Conference. I desire to repeat that we suggest this reversion to the older form because our discussions showed that it will facilitate acceptance of such treaties by the Governments of the British Empire, and thus help forward the work of the League.

No. 16. New Zealand, No. 59. Sir, — Downing Street, 19th March, 1927. With further reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 124, of the 21st June, 1926, concerning the question of a reduction in the Consular fees charged by the Chilean Government in respect of stud sheep sent from New Zealand to Chile, I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a note received by His Majesty's Representative at Santiago from the Chilean Government on the subject. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. [Translation.] Monsieur le Ministry,— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santiago, 18th January, 1927. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of note No. 95 from your Legation, dated 10th November last, in which you state that you are instructed by your Government to ask the Chilean Government if they are disposed to consider a reduction in the Consular fees charged on invoices for the importation of stud sheep from New Zealand to Chile, fees which in the opinion of the New Zealand Government are an obstacle to the exportation of sheep to Chile, and which appear to be unwise, as they restrict the improvement of the Chilean flocks and the consequent enrichment of the country. 1 regret to have to inform Your Excellency in reply that it is not in the power of this Department to modify the provision complained of by the New Zealand Government, since it is embodied in the law which establishes the Consular Tariff of Chile. I avail myself, &c., Jorge Matte. His Excellency Sir Thomas B. Holder.

No. 17. New Zealand, Dominions No. 183. Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd March, 1927. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that one of His Majesty's Consular Officers in France has recently raised a question regarding the issue of certificats de coutum,e to British subjects desirous of marrying in France in accordance with French law, in order to meet the prescriptions of that law. These requirements of French marriage law amount to an assurance that, in the case of foreigners marrying in France, they are entitled, if over the age of twenty-one, to marry without any other person's consent, and that the publication of banns is not required by the law of the country to which they belong. Such certificates have in the past been issued by His Majesty's Consular Officers in France, in the case of British subjects marrying in that country, in a form which states that, according to English law, the consent of parents or others is unnecessary where the British subject concerned has attained the age of twentyone years, and that publication of banns in the United Kingdom is not required. This form of certificate is, however, obviously unsatisfactory for general use, being inapplicable in the case of all British subjects domiciled elsewhere than in England. It appears desirable that, if possible, a standard form of certificate should be adopted for issue in the case of British subjects generally, in whatever part of His Majesty's Dominions they may be domiciled, and the enclosed form of certificate has been drafted for this purpose. I shall be glad to learn whether in the opinion of your Ministers this form of certificate would accurately represent the position so far as concerns New Zealand, and whether any objection is seen to the general use of this form in future cases. 1 have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The British Consul at certifies that, according to the laws in force in the various parts of the British Empire, a British subject who lias reached the age of twenty-one years is of age and consequently is capable of contracting a marriage without the consent of bis father or mother or of any other person, and that the publication of banns in any part of the British Empire is not required in the case of a marriage of a British subject celebrated abroad by the laws in force in any part of the British Empire. He certifies further that, according to the documents which have been submitted, born on ,at , comes under the rule above indicated .... Delivered, &c.

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No. 18. New Zealand, Dominions No. 184. Sir, Downing Street, 23rd March, 1927. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, Dominions No. 112, of the 12th March, 1924, and connected correspondence, 1 have the honour to request Your Excellency to invite the attention of your Ministers to the report of the Forestry Special Sub-Committee of the Imperial Conference, 1926, copies of which are enclosed, and to the resolution adopted by the Conference on the recommendation of the sub-committee, which reads as follows " The Conference, appreciating the importance of forestry to the Empire as a whole and to its constituent parts,- " (a) Takes favourable note of recent developments of effective organization within the Empire as exemplified by the Standing Committee on Empire Forestry, the Imperial Forestry Institute, and the Empire Forestry Association, and draws special attention to the need for co-operation in all lines of forest research : " (6) Welcomes the invitation of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to hold the third Empire Forestry Conference in those Dominions in 1928, and recommends to the Governments of the various parts of the Empire active preparation for and participation in that Conference ; and further notes with appreciation the invitation by the Government of the Union of South Africa for the Empire Forestry Conference of 1933 to be held in that Dominion : " (c) Refers the important question of constituting an Empire Forestry Bureau to the Empire Forestry Conference of 1928." 2. With reference to paragraph (b) of the resolution, I am informed that the Standing Committee on Empire Forestry (which was set up in accordance with Resolution VI of the Empire Forestry Conference, Canada, 1923) have now prepared the questionnaire to which reference is made in Appendix 2bl of the subcommittee's report, and propose shortly to issue this questionnaire to the authorities concerned. It is thought that details, both as regards the compilation of replies to the questionnaire and as regards the other arrangements in connection with the holding of the Conference in Australia and New Zealand in 1928, could also best be settled by direct correspondence between the Standing Committee and the various forestry authorities concerned. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Eergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 19. New Zealand, Dominions No. 191. Blit, — Downing Street, 25th March, 1927. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of parliamentary questions and answers of the 15th March on the subject of poison-gas factories in Soviet Russia. 1 have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Eergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.,

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Enclosure. Poison Gas. 18. Major-General Sir Alfred .Knox asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is aware that several factories are being operated by the Soviet Government in Russia for the manufacture of poison gas ; and can he state the number and location of such factories, and the present and potential output ? Sir L. Worthington-Evans : His Majesty's Government have information that the study of gas warfare is being actively pursued in Soviet Russia. Numerous factories have been set up and are in course of erection, which are or will be capable of poison-gas production on a very considerable scale. It is not considered that any useful purpose will be served by detailing the number and location of such factories or by indicating their present and potential output, but there is no doubt that the Soviet military authorities are actively studying this type of warfare and making preparations on a large scale for its possible eventual use. Sir A. Knox : Can the right honourable gentleman state whether in his opinion the preparations being made for this kind of warfare in Russia are greater or less than in other countries ? Sir L. Worthington-Evans : There is no doubt that much greater preparations are being made in Russia than anywhere else in the world. Mr. Beckett : In view of the very unnatural effects of this warfare, cannot the right honourable gentleman consider whether an offer might be made to Russia aud all other countries that we are prepared to abandon this weapon entirely if they would be prepared to do the same ? Sir L. Worthington-Evans : I would draw the attention of the honourable member to the Convention at Washington and the proceedings which are now before the League of Nations. Russia is not a party to either of those. Mr. Maxton : Will the right honourable gentleman tell the House the source of his information about Russia % Sir L. Worthington-Evans : No, sir.

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 66. Sir,— Downing Street, 29th March, 1927. With reference to my telegram of the 28th March, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a circular despatch to His Majesty's Consular and Passport Control Officers in accordance with the request of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand regarding the admission to New Zealand as permanent residents of persons of Russian national ity. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. Emigration op Russian Citizens to New Zealand. Passport Control Department, Foreign Office, 3rd March, 1927. 1. With reference to Circular S. 9515, of the 3rd April, 1925, the New Zealand Government do not desire that Russians who are sympathetic towards the present regime in Soviet Russia should be permitted to land in the Dominion, and the procedure outlined herein should be adopted by His Majesty's Consular and Passport Control officers outside Soviet Russia in dealing with applications made to them by Russian citizens for visas to proceed to New Zealand. 2. It must be clearly understood that persons desirous of landing in New Zealand must previously obtain (a) a permit issued under the New Zealand Immigration Regulations ; (/;) a visa from a British

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Consular or Passport Control Officer. One of the conditions of the permit will stipulate that it is necessary to obtain a visa. 3. It is anticipated that the applicants for admission to New Zealand who will be affected by the provisions of this circular will fall under one of the three following groups : — Group I: Intending immigrants whose applications are made (whether or not in the form prescribed under the New Zealand Regulations) direct to the Consular or Passport Control Officer. Group II : Intending immigrants who send their applications in the regulation form direct to New Zealand, the Dominion Government having no information whether the required visa will be granted. Group 111 : Intending immigrants who make direct inquiry of the Government of New Zealand as to the course necessary for them to pursue in order to obtain admission to that country, or who make application for such admission otherwise than in the prescribed form—e.g., through their friends or relatives in New Zealand. Group I. 4. Provided the Consular or Passport Control Officer to whom the application is made is prepared to grant a visa, all applications falling under this group should be referred for decision to the Chief Customs Officer, Wellington, New Zealand. The willingness to grant the visa will be taken to indicate that the Consular or Passport Control Officer is reasonably satisfied that the intending immigrant is not in sympathy with the present regime in Soviet Russia. 5. Applications so referred will not necessarily be favourably considered, but will be dealt with in the light of general circumstances existing in New Zealand from time to time, or of any special circumstances known in connection with any particular applicant. 6. If the applicant has not made his application in the form prescribed by the New Zealand Immigration Regulations he will, as a general ride, be required to do so, and for this purpose a form of application will be sent to hirn. 7. When a decision is arrived at the Consular or Passport Control Officer concerned will be notified. No visa should be granted before the receipt of an authorization to do so. 8. Where the Consular or Passport Control Officer is not satisfied as to the views of the intending immigrant the application need not be referred to New Zealand, but a visa should be refused forthwith and particulars of the case reported to the Chief Customs Officer at Wellington and to this Department. Group 11. 9. Should an application falling under this group be supported by evidence which satisfies the New Zealand Government that a permit should be granted subject only to the visa being obtained, the permit will be forwarded by the New Zealand Government to London for transmission by this Department to the Consular or Passport Control Officer concerned, with instructions to communicate with the applicant. 10. On receipt of the permit the Consular or Passport Control Officer concerned should take steps to satisfy himself with regard to the applicant. If he is satisfied, the visa should be granted and the permit handed to the applicant. If the Consular or Passport Control Officer is not satisfied with regard to the applicant the latter should be informed that the permit has been refused. The circumstances of the case should be reported, as provided in paragraph 8 hereof, and the permit returned to this Department for retransmission to New Zealand. 11. In some cases falling under this group the application for the permit may be definitely refused by the Government of New Zealand, so that the intervention of a Consular or Passport Control Officer will not be required. Group 111. 12. Intending immigrants falling under this group will (unless the application is definitely refused without further action by the New Zealand Government) generally be supplied with the prescribed form of application, which they will be asked to submit, when completed, through a Consular or Passport Control Officer. The application will then be dealt with in the same way as an application under Group I. General. 13. When dealing with applications covered by the foregoing provisions, Consular and Passport Control Officers should, before granting a visa, use their best endeavours to satisfy themselves with regard to the applicant, in order to give as full effect as possible to the wishes of the New Zealand Government as set out in paragraph 1 of this circular. H. E. Spencer, To His Majesty's Consular and Passport Control Officers.

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No. 21. New Zealand, No. 73. Sir, — Downing Street, 4th April, 1927. With reference to Mr. Thomas's despatch, No. 197, of the 23rd October, 1924, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of correspondence with the Governor-General of the Irish Free State regarding the issue of revised credentials to Professor T. A. Sm'ddy, accrediting him, in the capacity of His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, to represent the interests of the Irish Free State at Washington. 2. Copies of the correspondence have also been sent to the Governors-General of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Union of South Africa, and the Governor of Newfoundland. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. F. 232.—Despatch No. 47. Sir, — Vice-Regal Lodge, Dublin, 19th February, 1927. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State wish to advise His Majesty to issue revised credentials to Professor Timothy A. Smiddy, Minister Plenipotentiary for the Irish Free State at Washington, for the purpose of adding to his present title that of " Envoy Extraordinary." 2. They further wish to inform His Majesty that the change in the title follows naturally on the appointment by His Majesty of a Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to represent the interests of Canada. 3. My Ministers will be much obliged if you will arrange to have the revised credentials sent to the Minister for External Affairs for transmission to Professor Smiddy, who will present them in due course. I have, &c., T. M. Healy. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, Downing Street, London, S.W. 1. Irish Free State, No. 74. Sir, — Downing Street, 21st March, 1927. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 47, of the 19th February, I have the honour to enclose herewith, in original, for transmission to Professor Smiddy, a letter from His Majesty the King to the President of the United States of America, accrediting Professor Smiddy in the capacity of His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to represent the interests of the Irish Free State at Washington. A copy of the letter is also enclosed. I have, &c., L. S. Amery. Governor-General His Excellency T. M. Healy, Esq., K.C., &c. George, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, &c., to the President of the United States of America sendeth greeting. Our Good Friend, — We have judged it expedient to confer the rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary upon our Trusty and Well-beloved Timothy Aloysius Smiddy, Esquire, with the especial object of representing in the United States of America the interests of our Irish Free State. We request that you will give entire credence to all that Mr. Smiddy may represent to you in our name, especially when he shall assure you of our esteem and regard, and of our hearty wishes for the welfare and prosperity of the United States of America. And so We commend you to the protection of the Almighty. Given at our Court of Saint James, the seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven, and in the seventeenth year of our reign. Your Good Friend, George R.I.

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No. 22. New Zealand, No. 76. Sir, — Downing Street, 4th April, 1927. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram of the 14th March, and to request you to inform your Ministers that, in accordance with their request, His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington has been instructed to inform the United States Government that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand desire to associate themselves with the views expressed by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain in regard to the reservations attached to the accession of the United States to the protocol of the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 23. New Zealand, Dominions No. 231. Sir, — Downing Street, 12th April, 1927. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 260, of the 9th December, 1926, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a note to the German Ambassador, on the subject of legislative provisions in force in New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State with regard to territorial waters. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Youk Excellency,— Foreign Office, S.W. 1, Ist April, 1927. With reference to my note to Monsieur Dufour-Feronce of 11th September last, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand place upon the term " territorial waters " the same interpretation as that indicated in my note referred to above. 2. His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa, who state that there are no legislative provisions or enactments in force in the Union beyond the general application of the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act, 1878, also desire to associate themselves with the views expressed in my note. 3. While certain aspects of the matter are under consideration by His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State, the position of the Irish Free State, in so far as the question of territorial waters is regulated by statute, is similar to that in Great Britain. I have, &c., (For the Secretary of State), His Excellency Monsieur Friedrich Sthamer. G. R. Warner.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 82. Sir, — Downing Street, 20th April, 1927. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, as a result of the discussions which took place at the time of the Imperial Conference on the subject of air co-operation, the Air Council have inquired whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would wish to consider the appointment of a Liaison Officer at the Air Ministry. 2. As your Ministers are no doubt aware, His Majesty's Governments in Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia have appointed Liaison Officers, and the Air

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Council state that their appointment has been of very great advantage to the Air Ministry in effecting co-operation with the Air Forces of these Dominions, and as a means of facilitating an interchange of views which could not be attained in any other way. As regards the advantages of the arrangement to the Dominions, the Air Council have drawn attention to the remarks of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia in his statement on defence (vide page 173 of Command 2769). 3. In view of the statement by your Prime Minister that New Zealand is anxious to continue air development on lines which are co-operative with Great Britain and possibly with Australia (vide page 185 of Command 2769), the Air Council believe that the appointment of a New Zealand Liaison Officer would offer similar advantages to the Dominion, whilst for their own part they would welcome the opportunity, which such an appointment would afford, for an interchange of views on the many questions affecting the employment of aircraft which constantly arise. 4. In this connection I would invite reference to the late Viscount Milner's despatch, No. 186, of the 29th October, 1919, regarding the duties of Liaison Officers. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 261. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th April, 1927. With reference to my telegram of the 22nd April, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a note from the Italian Ambassador regarding the proposed holding at Rome in October next of a Conference for the revision of the International Copyright Convention, together with a copy of the reply returned thereto on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain. 2. If your Ministers decide to be represented at the proposed Conference, it might be advantageous that an informal preliminary meeting of the delegates from the various parts of the Empire should be held prior to the Conference, to discuss matters of common interest; and it is suggested that if your Ministers agree such a meeting might be arranged to take place in London about seven days before the actual opening of the Conference. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., C.C.M.G., 1v.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. [Translation.] Sir, — Italian Embassy, London, 16th March, 1927. At the Conference at Berlin in 1908 to revise the Berne International Copyright Convention (9th September, 1886) for the Institution of an International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, a proposal was unanimously adopted that the next Conference for revision should be held at Rome within ten years at latest from that date. For various reasons, and particularly because of the Great War, the dates in question have had to be prolonged. The preparatory work, commenced in due time with the co-operation of the International Office at Berne, has now been completed, and it does not appear that any further obstacles should arise to prevent the Conference in question at length taking place. Since the necessary documents have already been forwarded by the office at Berne to the Governments of the States participating in the Union, the Italian Government have decided to convoke the International Copyright Conference at Borne in the month of October of the present year.

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In fulfilment of instructions received, I have the honour, on behalf of the Italian Government, to address an invitation to Your Excellency to the end that the British Government may be represented at the said International Copyright Conference and send an official delegation. The same invitation is addressed, through Your Excellency, to the Dominions, colonies, possessions, and territories under British mandate which have acceded to the International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. I would add that, in accordance with the practice followed at the Conferences at Paris and Berlin, the Italian Government have thought it advisable to extend the invitation also to the Governments of the States who have not yet acceded to the Berne International Union, so that they may send semi-official delegates. As regards the Dominions, colonies, possessions, and territories under British mandate who have not yet acceded to the above-mentioned International Union, I have therefore the honour to convey to them, through Your Excellency, an invitation to send semi-official delegates. At the same time I beg to inform Your Excellency that the delegates of States which are not members of the Union will preserve their full liberty of action, and can confine themselves to following the labours and deliberations of the Conference without assuming obligations of any kind ; the Italian Government, however, submit to the consideration of the individual Governments the question of the advisability of delegates from countries which are not members of the Union being provided with the necessary full powers in case they should recognize the expediency of acceding to the Berne International Copyright Convention. I request that Your Excellency may be so good as to acquaint me in due course with the decisions of the British Government and of the other Governments interested in the matters referred to above concerning the Italian Government's invitation to the International Conference at Rome. I have, &c., Torretta. The Right Hon. Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., M.P., &c. Sir,- — Foreign Office, S.W. 1, sth April, 1927. In reply to the Marquess della Torretta's note of the 16th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain accept the invitation of the Italian Government to be represented at the International Copyright Conference to be held in Rome in October next. 2. The names of the delegates who will represent His Majesty's Government, and the decisions of the other parts of the Empire, will be communicated to you in due course. I have, &c., (For the Secretary of State), G. H. Villiers. Monsieur Augusto Rosso.

No. 26. New Zealand, Dominions No. 283. Sir, — Downing Street, 9th May, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 360, of the 11th August, 1926, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 26th April, containing the Merchant Shipping (Anti-Scorbutics) Order in Council, 1927, dated the 22nd April. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Court at Windsor Castle, the 22nd day of April, 1927. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas by section 200 and the Fifth Schedule of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, power is given to His Majesty by Order in Council to make provision as to the use of anti-scorbutics other than lime or lemon-juice, of such quality and composed of such materials and packed and kept in such manner and served out at such times and in such quantities as His Majesty may direct: Now, therefore, His Majesty, by virtue of the powers in this behalf by the said Act, or of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to give the following directions as regards the provision of concentrated orange-juice as an anti-scorbutic on board every ship navigating between the United Kingdom and any place out of the same, except in the case of (a) ships bound to European ports or ports in the Mediterranean Sea, and (b) such ships or classes of ships bound to ports on the eastern coast of America, north of the thirty-fifth degree

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of north latitude, and to any islands or places in the Atlantic Ocean north of the same limit as the Board of Trade may exempt: — 1. The concentrated orange-juice shall contain not less than 70 per cent, of total soluble solids by weight. It shall be free from signs of alcoholic fermentation and contain no mould growths. It shall be so prepared and stored that there is no material loss of vitamin potency. 2. The concentrated orange-juice shall be prepared from the fresh juice of sound oranges free from fermentation and moulds, with the addition of the best cane-sugar only, and shall not contain any added colouring-matter, chemical preservatives, nor metallic impurities. The quantity of sugar-cane to be added shall not exceed 20 per cent, by weight of the finished product. The preparation or concentration of the juice shall be carried out in vacuo, at a temperature not exceeding 50° centigrade. 3. The concentrated orange-juice shall be supplied in glass bottles containing not more than one pint. The bottles shall be filled to the neck, properly closed and secured, and shall bear an adhesive label with the date of manufacture and the volume of the contents stated in fluid ounces ; and no concentrated orange-juice shall be used as an anti-scorbutic for the crew or passengers of any ship after two years from such date of manufacture. The concentrated orange-juice, both before and after being placed on board the vessel, shall be kept in cold storage. 4. Every brand of concentrated orange-juice shall be submitted to the Board of Trade for their approval, and no brand of concentrated orange-juice shall be deemed fit and proper to be taken on board any ship for the use of the crew or passengers thereon unless it is shown by a certificate under the hand of an Inspector appointed by the Board of Trade to be proper for use on board ship. 5. The concentrated orange-juice shall be served out to the crew so soon as they have been at sea for ten days, and during the remainder of the voyage except during such times as they are in harbour and are there supplied with fresh provisions. 6. The concentrated orange-juice shall be served out daily at the rate of one-half fluid ounce each per day to each member of the crew, and shall be mixed with six times its volume of water before being served out. The juice shall not be diluted before the day on which it is to be served, and shall be served out in sufficient quantity to each mess or watch at the dinner-hour, so that it may be obtained by the crew in time to drink during their meal. . 7. This Order may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Anti-Scorbutics) Order in Council, 1927. Colin Smith.

No. 27. New Zealand, Dominions No. 284. Sir, — Downing Street, 10th May, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 214, of the 6th April, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927 (17 Geo. Y, Ch. 4). I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.I)., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927. Chapter 4. An Act to provide for the Alteration of the Royal Style and Titles, and of the Style of Parliament, and for purposes incidental thereto. [12th April, 1927.\ Be 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 : — Power to alter styles and titles of Crown. 1. It shall be lawful for His Most Gracious Majesty, by His Royal Proclamation under the Great Seal of the Realm, issued within six months after the passing of this Act, to make such alteration in the style and titles at present appertaining to the Crown as to His Majesty may seem fit. Alteration of the style of Parliament. 2. (1) Parliament shall hereafter be known as and styled the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ; and accordingly the present Parliament shall be known as the Thirty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, instead of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. (2) In everv Act passed and public document issued after the passing of this Act the expression " United Kingdom " shall, unless the context otherwise requires, mean Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Short Title. 3. This Act may be cited as the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act, 1927.

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No. 28. New Zealand, Dominions No. 290. Sir, — Downing Street, 13th May, 1927. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have had under consideration the application of the recommendations contained in section Y (a) of the Report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee of the Imperial Conference of 1926 to treaties relating to boundaries with foreign countries. 2. It would appear doubtful whether it would be constitutionally appropriate that a treaty concluded by His Majesty the King under which territory under His Majesty's sovereignty or protection is transferred to the sovereignty or protection of another Power and/or under which he receives territory previously belonging to or protected by another Power should be expressed as made by His Majesty in respect of any of his individual Governments. 3. On the other hand, it can well be understood that any such transfer of territory is likely to be the immediate concern of one such Government only, and that it would be convenient that, in the absence of any objection on the part of other Governments, that Government alone should be responsible for advising His Majesty in the matter. 4. It would seem to follow from the consideration mentioned in paragraph 2 of this despatch that where a treaty effects a transfer of territory (as distinct from merely delimiting a frontier) it should not purport to be made on behalf of any particular part or parts of the Empire, and should be signed under a full power not limited by being expressed as conferring authority to negotiate in respect of any particular part or parts of the Empire. If, however, before the issue of the full power, the Government negotiating the treaty had informed the other Governments of the intention that such a full power should be issued, and had received no observations from any of the other Governments, it is thought that it would be in accordance with the principle referred to in paragraph 3 of this despatch that the negotiating Governments should proceed on the assumption that those Governments were willing that the treaty should be signed under a full power in this form by a plenipotentiary appointed on the advice of the negotiating Government, and would acquiesce in the ratification of the treaty by His Majesty the King in due course on the advice of that Government. 5. If the above procedure is generally acceptable, His Majesty's Government in Great Britain would propose to adopt it in the case of any treaties of the nature referred to which they may negotiate, and they would suggest that it might similarly be adopted in the case of treaties of this nature negotiated by His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions. 6. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain were led to the examination of this question bv consideration of the procedure to be adopted in the case of the treaty relating to the boundary between Dutch Borneo and Sarawak (see my despatch, Dominions No. 89, of the 4th February). This treaty would appear to fall within the category mentioned in paragraph 4 of this despatch, and it would accordingly be in accordance with the general principles described above that, in the absence of any observations from His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, it should in due course be signed under a full power in the form indicated in paragraph 4, and should subsequently be ratified by His Majesty the King on the advice of His Government in Great Britain. 7. I would add that, in cases involving only the delimitation of a frontier and not a transfer of territory, it may not be necessary to embody the arrangement in a formal treaty between Heads of States, and it may be sufficient that it should take the form of an agreement in the name of the particular Government concerned. If, however, for any reason it is considered desirable that a limited arrangement of this nature should be embodied in a treaty between Heads of States, it would appear appropriate that the treaty should be expressed in the preamble as made on behalf of the particular part of the Empire concerned, and that it should be signed under a full power conferring authority to negotiate in respect of that part of the Empire. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 29. New Zealand, Dominions No. 296. Sir,— Downing Street, 14th. May, 1927. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that arrangements are being made with a view to convening in this country a Conference of Surveyors representative of the Survey Departments of the Dominions, colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories. 2. It is proposed that such a conference should be held in this country in the two weeks preceding the International Geographical Congress, which, as indicated in my despatch, Dominions No. 295, of the 14th May, will meet at Cambridge on the 18th July, 1928, and it is anticipated that the juxtaposition of the two meetings may facilitate arrangements for suitable representatives to attend both the Conference of Surveyors and the International Geographical Congress. 3. The Conference, which should be understood to include hydrographers also, will afford to surveyors from overseas,, as will be seen from the provisional agenda enclosed, an opportunity of becoming fully acquainted with the methods employed by the Departments in this country dealing with land and ocean surveys, and of an exchange of views on many general and technical matters of common interest to surveyors. 4. I should be glad to be informed in due course whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand desire to nominate representatives to attend the Conference. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL TV. G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Proposed Programme—July, 1928. (Note. —The individual items and precise sequence of this suggested programme will be subject to such further modification as the departments concerned may find necessary.) First Week. First Day—War Office —Lecture, " Maps and Surveys for Imperial Defence." Lecture, " Mapping from Air Photographs." Visits by parties to (a) photogrammetric plotter and other air photo apparatus; (6) Geographical Section, general staff maps and draughtsmen ; (c) reproduction. Second Day.—War Office: Lecture, " Boundaries, Boundary Commissions, Maps and Triangulations." National Physical Laboratory : Standardizing and testing apparatus. Third Day.—Admiralty: Lecture, " Charts " ; visits by parties to (a) old surveys, (b) instruments, (c) organization. Afternoon : Cricklewood —Admiralty Chart Establishment. Fourth Day.—Admiralty: Admiralty Research Laboratory. Greenwich: Royal Observatory. Greenwich. Fifth Day.—Geological Museum : Geological maps and surveys. Royal Geographical Society : Visits to the Society's premises and collections. Sixth Day.—Discussion of exchange of material, complimentary issues, &c. ; two-three hours for discussion of other subjects as notified. Arrive Southampton on Sunday evening. Second Week. First and Second Days.—Ordnance Survey Office. —Lectures on various subjects by officers of the Ordnance Survey, including the following : History, organization, and work of the Ordnance Survey ; relations of Ordnance Survey with the public ; methods and processes used on the Ordnance Survey ; the new geodetic levelling. Arrangements will also be made for visits by parties to all the departments, in which the following work will be seen : Drawing, large and small scale ; photo-reproduction ; proving and printing ; mounting and folding ; letterpress and process work ; Trigonometrical Division—records, standards ; manuscript-store, map-stores, &c. Third Day.—Ordnance Survey : Lecture, " The Geodesy of the British Is'es " (Sir Charles Close) ; discussions —Empire Survey Journal and other subjects. Fourth Day.—Spithead: Admiralty survey ship ; sounding, fixing, wire measurement gear, &c. Return London. Fifth Day.—Natural Science Museum (in room borrowed, if possible, from Science College) : Historical instruments ; exhibition of survey instruments and methods—air survey companies ; Barr and Stroud ; Watts ; Cooke, Troughton, and Simms ; Casella ; Ottway ; Negretti and Zambra, &c. Sixth Day.—War Office : Discussions.

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No. 30. New Zealand, Dominions No. 317. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th. May, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 231, of the 21st May, 1926, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of the Report of the Committee on Transatlantic Wireless Telephony (Cmd. 2858). I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., 1v.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. Report of Committee on Transatlantic Wireless Telephony. Committee on Tranatlantic Wireless Telephony.—Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry B. .Jackson, G.C.8., K.C.V.O. F.R.S., R.N\, Chairman of the Radio Research Board (Chairman); Major-General Sir Frederick H. Sykes, G.8.E., K.C.8., C.M.G., M.P. ; R. A. Dalzell, Esq., C.8., C.8.E., Director of Telegraphs and Telephones, General Post Office; W. H. Eooles, Esq., ! J.Sc., F.R.S., President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers; F. Gill, Esq., 0.8. E., M.lnst.C.E., Past President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers ; E. H. Shatjohnessy, Esq., 0.8. E., M.1.E.E., Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, General Post Office; Lieut.-Col. A. G. Lee, M.C., M.I.E.E. (Secretary). Report. Terms of Reference. 1. We were appointed by the Postmaster-General in March, 1923, with the following terms of reference : "To consider in the light of recent progress in wireless science the possibility from a technical standpoint of transatlantic wireless telephony of sufficient reliability for commercial use, and to advise what practical steps, if any, can at present be taken to develop this means of communication." Progress in Wireless Science. 2. The development of the thermionic valve and its application to wireless transmission and reception had opened up possibilities of transoceanic wireless telephony which had been beyond practical attainment previously. In 1915 the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., by connecting together a large number of small valves which were then available, succeeded in transmitting speech across the Atlantic from Arlington, U.S.A., to Paris, and between 1915 and 1923 developed what is known as the " single-side-band suppressed-carrier " method of working in wireless telephony, an invention which is designed to reduce the number of wave-lengths required for telephonic communication and at the same time offers very considerable advantages in the utilization of power required for transmission. Attention was also paid to the development of a large-power valve, and to the production of a water-cooled valve of 10 kilowatts continuous and reliable output. These advances, together with a large number of other important improvements, opened up possibilities of long-distance wireless telephony. With larger valves and improved technique the company again achieved one-way transatlantic telephony, and on the 15th January, 1923, a large audience at the works of the Western Electric Co. (now Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd.) at New Southgate, London, heard the voices of the speakers in. New York quite clearly and loudly, speaking at predetermined times over a period of two hours. Preliminary Experimental Work. 3. The preliminary work of the committee was devoted to obtaining data for outlining the problem upon which it was engaged. It was known that wireless signals across the Atlantic varied in strength from hour to hour and day to day, and that the disturbance due to what are known as atmospherics varied also at different times of the day and at different seasons of the year. The American Telephone and Telegraph Co., the Radio Corporation of America, the International Western Electric Co. (now International Standard Electric Corporation), and -the Post Office Engineering Department offered their co-operation in the necessary experiments. To obtain the required data it was decided to make measurements in this country of the strength of signals from America, and the strength of the atmospherics, each week-end, over a complete twentyfour hours in each case. These measurements were continued to the end of 1926, and numerous records of the conditions likely to be met in giving a commercial service were thus obtained. At the same time the Post Office wireless stations, Leafield, Northolt, and latterly Rugby, transmitted signals to America, where similar measurements on signal strength and atmospherics were also being made. The special signals from America were sent from the Radio Corporation station at Rocky Point, Long Island. Speech was also transmitted from this station, and measurements of the deteriorating effect of atmospherics on the intelligibility of speech were made in this country. Arrangements were also made concurrently for the Post Office Engineering Department to install at Chedzoy, Somerset, a receiving antenna, seven miles in length, for the purpose of gaining experience of the value of this type of antenna in combating atmospheric disturbances.

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Installation of 200 Jew. Telephony Transmitter at Rugby Wireless Station. 4. After the preliminary data from these measurements became available it was possible to decide upon the size and type of transmitter and the receiving arrangements which would be necessary in order to attempt a commercial telephone service between England and America, and the committee recommended the Postmaster-General to install a 200-kilowatt telephony transmitter at the Rugby Wireless Station for this purpose, and in order to see what further difficulties would be encountered. It was hoped that this transmitter would, if successful in the experimental stage, be suitable for commercial working later. The telephony transmitter apparatus was ordered by the Post Office from the Western Electric Co. (now Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd.), who installed it at Rugby. A separate antenna and earth system and the necessary oscillating circuits for the telephony installation were also erected by the Post Office. It was thus possible to obtain the advantages of conducting the initial experiments at the Rugby Station, where the high masts and the necessary power and certain plant were already available without additional expense. The telephony transmitter installed at Rugby comprised modulation equipment and poweramplifiers. The modulation equipment converts the speech currents arriving over the cable system from London into weak wireless signals, using the " single-side-band suppressed-carrier system " already mentioned. After the wireless signals are produced in the modulation equipment they are amplified in three stages for transmission from the antenna. The power-amplifier consists of thirty water-cooled metal-glass valves, each of 10 kilowatts rating. This transmitter was designed on somewhat similar lines to that which was already in use by the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. at the Rocky Point Station, full advantage being taken of the experience gained in the working of that installation. The British installation was ready for trial early in 1926, and, after preliminary tests had been made, two-way conversation between England and America was first attained on the 7th February, 1926. Installation of Receiving Arrangements at Wroughton and in the United States. 5. Improvements had also been made in the receiving arrangements. In this country a double receiving-antenna had been erected at Wroughton, near Swindon, in order to be near the main underground telephone system from London to the West of England. Measurements and tests carried out in Scotland in 1925 and 1926 indicated that a considerable improvement would be obtained by reception in the north, and another receiving-antenna is being built at Cupar, which it is expected will be ready shortly. In America also experiments had been made, using a receiving-antenna at different locations. As a result it was found that the more northerly the location the greater was the freedom from atmospherics, and the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. built a receiving-antenna system at Houlton, Maine, near the Canadian border. Improvements on this antenna, and the receiving arrangements have been continued, and further developments which have been suggested will be put into effect. Decision to operate both Transmitters on the same Wave-length. 6. The preliminary two-way conversations were made on two separate wave-lengths, and had to be confined to week-ends, so as not to interfere with other wireless services. The early measurement work on signals and atmospherics had indicated that the optimum wave-length for this transatlantic communication would be between 5,000 and 6,000 metres. In this band there were over forty wirelesstelegraph services already working, and the difficulties of finding room in this crowded range of communication were such that it was decided to attempt to operate both American and British transmitters on the same wave-length. This introduced a difficult problem, which was solved independently on both sides of the Atlantic by the development of switching-devices actuated by the voice. These devices switch the transmitting and receiving circuits at each end on or off, according to the direction in which the speech is proceeding. Clearing the Wave-band of Existing Wireless-telegraph Services. 7. Having obtained satisfactory two-way telephony on one wave-length, it was decided to ask the authorities responsible for certain wireless-telegraph services whether they would be willing to alter their wave-length, and we have pleasure in recording the friendly spirit of co-operation shown by the Government Administrations in Germany, Italy, and Russia, and by the Air Ministry and Marconi Co. in this country, in making these changes in order to make room for the transatlantic wireless telephone service. On the American side also there were a number of wireless stations in the waveband desired, under the control of the United States Navy, and they also kindly altered the distribution of wave-lengths used by their stations. Opening of a Commercial Service. 8. In October, 1926, the experiments had progressed so far as to show that reasonable commercial working with America should be possible over a considerable portion of twenty-four hours each day, and the committee recommended the Postmaster-General to establish a commercial service on an experimental basis, in order to ascertain those defects and possible improvements which can only be eliminated and secured respectively by operating under actual service conditions. After consultation between the Post Office and representatives of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., the service was opened for public use on the 7th January. 1927. The operating-hours were limited to the afternoon in this country, the portion of the day in which the business hours overlap those of New York ; but with the expansion of the service it would be possible to extend considerably the hours of operation.

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Further Work recommended. 9. The telephony service between England and America is not secret in the full sense of that word. It was considered, however, that in spite of this a public telephone service between England and America would be of such value that it should not be withheld until a secret system became available. We recommend, however, that the improvement of the present partially secret system of wireless telephony should be pressed to a conclusion by the Post Office engineering staff in consultation and co-operation with the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. 10. The work of the committee has now been completed, and it is pleased to be able to report that, as a result of the necessary research and experiment, it has been found possible to overcome the initial technical difficulties and to establish a transatlantic wireless-telephone service of sufficient reliability for commercial use. Further technical and operational development will be necessary, and can be left to the Engineering and Traffic Sections of the Administrations on both sides. 11. The committee desires to place on record its cordial thanks for the co-operation given by the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. and its associated company, the Bell Telephone Laboratories, the Radio Corporation of America, the International Standard Electric Corporation, and the Post Office Engineering Department. The committee also desires to express its appreciation of the assistance rendered by Lieut.-Colonel A. G. Lee, who has acted as secretary to the committee, and under whose direction the necessary data have been obtained, and who also visited the United States to complete the co-ordination of the necessary engineering arrangements by which success has been achieved. H. B. Jackson. W. H. Eccles. E. H. Sykes. F. Gill. R. A. Dalzell. E. H. Shatjghnessy. 22nd March, 1927. A. G. Lee, Secretary.

No. 31. New Zealand, Dominions No. 349. Sir, — Downing Street, 15th June, 1927. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 291, of the 13th May, J have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of the House of Commons Official Report of the 2nd June, containing a debate on the Washington Hours Convention (Vol. 207, No. 76, columns 571-593). I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 32. New Zealand, Dominions No. 351. Sir, — Downing Street, 17th June, 1927. T have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, a copy of a question and answer in the House of Commons on the subject of a grant from the Empire Marketing Fund to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Ivew, with a view to securing that an expert botanist should be available to visit the Dominions and colonies from time to time. The expert staff at the Royal Botanic Gardens has not hitherto been sufficient to allow one of its members to undertake such visits as a regular feature of his work, but the Board have now recommended, and I have agreed, that an annual grant should be made from the Empire Marketing Fund to provide for the salary and travelling-expenses of an economic botanist. Mr. H. C. Sampson, C.1.E., late Director of Agriculture, Madras, has been appointed to the post. 2. The new appointment will enable the Director or Assistant Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, or Mr. Sampson, to travel overseas from time to time, and so establish closer contact between the Gardens and the oversea parts of the Empire. It is anticipated that these visits will enable the Director to give more continuous assistance to the Empire Marketing Board, and it is hoped that they will also be of value to the countries visited. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Botany (Empire Study Scheme). 26. Sir H. Brittain asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any efforts are being made by expert botanists in the direction of the study of plants of economic importance throughout the Empire ; and whether any assistance in this direction is being given by the Empire Marketing Board ? Mr. Amery : The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. A grant of £4,000 for five years from the Empire Marketing Fund has been promised to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The grant will be devoted partly to the employment of an economic botanist to be attached to the Royal Botanic Gardens, who will be available either to visit the Dominions and colonies from time to time or to set free a superior officer officer of the Kew staff to undertake overseas missions, and partly to sending botanical collectors to various parts of the world to study and bring home plants of economic importance for cultivation at Kew and distribution to the Dominions and colonies. Sir H. Brittain : How many is it proposed to send to different parts of the Empire from Kew ? Mr. Amery : The number has not been fixed.

No. 33. New Zealand, Dominions No. 376. Sir, — Downing Street, 30th June, 1927. I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of a parliamentary paper, Cmd. 2889, containing the report of the British Representative to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the Committee of the Council of the League of Nations on Article 11 of the Covenant. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency Sir C. Ferguson, Bart., L.L.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. League of Nations : Committee of the Council on Article il of the Covenant. Re-port of the British Representative to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Viscount Cecil to Sir Austen Chamberlain. Sir, — Geneva, 16th March, 1927. You will remember that at the first session of the Preparatory Committee on the Disarmament Conference, in May, 1926, the French representative submitted certain proposals for the rapid working of the organs of the League in cases of emergency, particularly with reference to articles 11 and 16 of the Covenant. In September last the Council referred these proposals to the Committee of the Council for examination, and in December it approved the proposal of the Committee of the Council to make a special study of article 11. The Committee of the Council therefore charged a small sub-committee, consisting of the Belgian, British, and Roumanian representatives, to meet in London in February and draft a report for consideration at its session fixed for the 14th March. 2. I transmit to you herewith a copy of this report as finally approved yesterday by the Committee of the Council. It will be seen that the committee has made certain changes in the draft originally submitted to it by the sub-committee of three. 3. Ido not think that any of the changes can be said to be of capital importance. A number of them are purely verbal emendations. In regard to the remainder, I would offer only the following observations : — 4. The new passage in Chapter 111 (b) was inserted, after a laborious search for the correct formula, on the suggestion of the Secretary-General. Evidently at a time of crisis the presidency of the Council might be held by an interested party, and against that eventuality it was necessary to make some provision of this kind. 5. It will be seen that Chapter 111 (d) has been practically redrafted. This was necessary in order to meet the views of certain representatives who feared that the original text was too much in the nature of a reglement which might tie the hands of the Council by prescribing a procedure from which they would be unable to depart. I considered these fears groundless myself; the point had not escaped the three members of the sub-committee in London, and they had inserted at various points passages which made it quite clear that they were anxious to avoid this difficulty. However, it was necessarv to allay the fears and apprehensions of certain members, and the new text may be an improvement on the old. The passage inserted at the end of Chapter 111 (d) was drafted on the proposal of the Secretary-General.

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6. The next difficulty of any serious kind that arose was in connection with the mention of air demonstrations in Chapter 111 (/). It is unnecessary to summarize the discussion, which ranged over almost every possible aspect of the question. I think the passage as it now stands is unobjectionable. I thought it important not to omit all mention of the possibility of air demonstrations. It is true that this expedient has never yet been tried, but it seems to me that the rapidity of such action and the fact that it could be applied to States possessing no seaboard may one day render it a useful instrument for bringing pressure to bear on a recalcitrant State. 7. On the whole, I think the committee have achieved a useful work. The discussions were interesting throughout, and at times animated. In any case, I think the committee has been careful not to go beyond the Covenant, nor to interpret it in any way so as to increase the liabilities and obligations devolving from that document on the members of the League. I have, &c., Cecil. Enclosure. Report op the Committee op the Council, dated 15th March, 1927. I. —Preliminary. (a) The committee has not been asked to give an authentic interpretation of article 11, or even to draw up a complete code of procedure for the application of this provision of the Covenant. It has simply to make recommendations regarding the action that may be deemed wise and effectual for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of that title. The recommendations which follow are based on —(1) Past practice ; (2) previous resolutions of the Assembly and Council; (3) the proceedings of these bodies and of various committees formed by the League of Nations. It should be clearly understood that the measures referred to below are only cited as examples, and that the committee does not wish to underrate or dispute the value of any which it may not have expressly mentioned. It is impossible to draw up in advance any rigid classification of the infinite variety of events which occur in international political life. Nor is it possible, by resolutions, recommendations, or suggestions, to prescribe limits to the extensive rights which the League holds in virtue of its essential duty, that of effectually safeguarding the peace of nations. Among the measures recommended will be found those which, having been favourably received and having already been successfully applied, appear particularly effectual. The list of these measures will doubtless be added to as further experience is gained. (b) If the action to be taken under article 11 of of particular concern to States which are not members of the Council, such States must, under the terms of paragraph 5 of article 4, be given a seat at the Council. The procedure instituted under article 11 in no way implies the exclusion of procedure taken under other provisions of the Covenant. The Aland Islands question, for example, was referred to the Council by the British Empire in virtue of article 11 ; this did not, however, prevent the Council from declaring itself competent under article 4, paragraph 4, and at the same time applying as far as possible articles 12, 15, and 17. Thus, if any action contemplated by the Council as being calculated to preserve peace is taken under the provisions of article 15, the votes of the representatives of the parties will not count for purposes of unanimity as far as such action is concerned. The report referred to in article 15, paragraph 6, may, of course, contain any recommendations which the Council may think likely to bring about a settlement of the dispute and prevent a rupture. (c) If the threat of war did not arise out of a dispute coming under article 15, the members of the Council not directly concerned in the dispute would still be free to make recommendations, which could not fail to have a considerable moral value. (d) Under article 11, any war or threat of war is declared to be a matter of concern to the whole League, and the League is directed to take any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of nations. If there is no threat of war, but some circumstance threatens to disturb the good understanding between nations upon which peace depends, that circumstance may be brought to the attention of the Assembly or the Council by any member of the League, so that presumably the Assembly or Council may consider what, if anything, should be done to restore international good understanding. II. —Where there is no Threat of War, or it is not acute. (a) The Council will consider the question at a meeting, to be called specially if necessary, to which the contending parties will be summoned. (b) The Council can request an organization, or even a private individual, appointed by it to exercise conciliatory action on the parties. (c) The Council may also suggest that the dispute be referred to arbitration or judicial settlement, in accordance with the provisions of article 13 of the Covenant. (d) If there is a doubt as to the facts of the dispute a League Commission may be sent to the locus in quo to ascertain what has actually happened or is likely to happen. It is understood that such a Commission cannot go to the territory of either party without the consent of the State to which that territory belongs. (e) If for the accomplishment of its task the Council deems it necessary it can, in certain appropriate cases, ask for an advisory opinion from the Permanent Court, or else, in certain special circumstances, from a committee of jurists appointed by it.

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lll.—Where there is an Imminent Threat of War. (а) Everything should be done to ensure that the Council shall meet with the greatest promptitude. In this connection the committee refers to the recommendations which it made in its previous report on these questions (document C. 677, dated the 4th December, 1926). (б) Even before the Council meets it is desirable that the Acting-President should send telegraphic appeals to the parties to the dispute to refrain forthwith from any hostile acts. The nature of this appeal will necessarily vary with the circumstances of each case. If, owing to exceptional circumstances, the Secretary-General considered that the ActingPresident was not in a position to act, he might request the ex-President most recently in office who is available to take this step in the name of the Council. (c) As soon as the Council meets it will no doubt verbally urge on the representatives of the nations in dispute the great importance of avoiding a breach of the peace. (d) Further, the Council may take steps to see that the status quo is not disturbed in such manner as to aggravate or extend the dispute and thus compromise the pacific settlement of the dispute. For this purpose it may indicate to the parties any movements of troops, mobilization operations, and other similar measures from which it recommends them to abstain. Similar measures of an industrial, economic, or financial nature may also be recommended. The Council may request the parties to notify their agreement on these points within the shortest possible space of time, the length of which will, if necessary, be fixed by the Council. The details of these measures, and even their nature, obviously depend upon the whole of the circumstances of the dispute. It should be mentioned that in certain cases with which it has had to deal the Council fixed a neutral zone on either side from which the parties to the dispute were called upon to withdraw their troops. (e) In order to satisfy itself of the way in which these measures have been carried out, and to keep itself informed of the course of events, the Council may think it desirable to send representatives to the locality of the dispute. The Secretary-General, duly authorized by the Council, would keep lists of experts—political, economic, military, &c. —on the basis of lists supplied by the States members of the League, and of applications for employment submitted to him. These lists, classified to categories, would be held by the Secretary-General at the disposal of the Council, which in case of crisis would thus have the names of suitable experts before it. The Council may also have recourse in this connection to diplomatic personages stationed in the neighbourhood who belong to States not parties to the dispute. (/) Should any of the parties to the dispute disregard the advice or recommendations of the Council, the Council will consider the measures to be taken. It may manifest its formal disapproval. It may also recommend to its members to withdraw all their diplomatic representatives acredited to the State in question, or certain categories of them. It may also recommend other measures of a more serious character. (g) If the recalcitrant State still persists in its hostile preparations or action, further warning measures may be taken, such as a naval demonstration. Naval demonstrations have been employed for such a purpose in the past. It is possible that air demonstrations might, within reasonable limits, be employed. Other measures may be found suitable according to the circumstances of each case. IV. —General. (a) It should be pointed out that the very general terms of article 11 —" any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of nations " —allow of any action which does not imply recourse to war against the recalcitrant State. The above-mentioned measures have only been given as examples. Circumstances might lead to an alteration in the order of their application. (b) In taking any of these measures the Council will, of course, not lose sight of the distinction made in article 11 between paragraph 1, which deals with "threats of war," and paragraph 2, which deals with " circumstances which threaten to disturb the good understanding between nations." (c) In any case contemplated above the members of the League not represented at the Council should be kept fully informed. Where necessary or desirable, their collaboration with the Council might be sought, either by sending a communication to each of them or by summoning a special meeting of the Assembly. (d) In the case of disputes between member States and non-member States, or between nonmember States, the Council will apply article 11 in the light of the above observations, bearing in mind the circumstances of each case. (e) If, in spite of all steps here recommended, a " resort to war " takes place, it is probable that events will have made it possible to say which State is the aggressor, and in consequence it will be possible to enforce more rapidly and effectively the provisions of article 16.

No. 34. New Zealand, No. 134. Sir, — Downing Street, 4th July, 1927. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 83, of the 28th April, transmitting a report, dated the 28th March, based on the reception at the Awarua Wireless Station of telephone transmissions between Rugby and New York. 2. With regard to paragraph 2 of the despatch the Postmaster-General states that the.reports which have been furnished periodically have proved of considerable

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value in connection with the development of the transatlantic telephone service, but now that the service has been established on a more or less permanent basis he agrees that they may be discontinued. 3. The Postmaster-General has asked that an expression of his appreciation of the cordial co-operation which has been so readily extended by the authorities concerned in New Zealand may be conveyed to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 35. New Zealand, No. 156. Sir, — Downing Street, 6th August, 1927. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 58, of the 31st March, relative to the travelling-allowances payable to recipients in New Zealand of Imperial war pensions, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that careful consideration has been given by the Minister of Pensions to the question of the application to Imperial pensioners resident in New Zealand of Dominion conditions and scales of payment, in respect of travelling, subsistence allowance, and compensation for loss of remunerative time. 2. The Minister states that the existing conditions and scales applicable to Imperial pensioners have now been in operation for a considerable period, and these scales form an integral part of the Imperial scheme of war pensions, which applies to Imperial pensioners irrespective of their country of residence. Any alteration in the scale of the allowances in question would, it is felt, give rise to repercussions not only in other Dominions and colonies but also in this country, and in these circumstances the Minister of Pensions regrets that he is unable to agree to any farther concessions in this matter to Imperial Great War pensioners resident in New Zealand. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 36. New Zealand, Dominions No. 478. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th August, 1927. With reference to Mr. Amery's despatch, Dominions No. 371, of the 29th June, I have the honour to transmit the accompanying copy of a circular despatch, addressed to the Officers Administering the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates, by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of Colonial Agricultural Scientific and Research Service, which may be of interest to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand. 2. Copies of the Report of the Committee on Agricultural Research and Administration in the Non-self-governing Dependencies (Cmd. 2825), referred to, were enclosed in Mr. Amery's despatch, Dominions No. 235, of the 19th April. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

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Enclosure. Circular. Sir, — Downing Street, 11th August, 1927. I have the honour to invite your attention to the Report of the Committee of the Colonial Office Conference on Colonial Scientific and Research Services, which is printed in full in Section VIII of the Summary of Proceedings of the Conference (Cmd. 2883), copies of which were enclosed in Mr. Amery's circular despatch of the 15th June. As stated in that section, the report of this committee was considered by the Conference on the 27th May, when the following resolutions were adopted : — " The Conference approve of the general principles and objects of the scheme of agricultural research organization set out in the Report of the Committee of the Conference on Colonial Scientific and Research Services, and request the Colonial Office to set up a committee to work out a detailed scheme for submission to all the Governments concerned. " The Conference are of the opinion, on the figures before them, that the scheme could be adequately initiated on an income of about £175,000, of which a considerable portion, however, would be in replacement of existing expenditure on the salaries of agricultural research officers." 2. As will be seen from their terms of reference, the committee were appointed to frame and submit a scheme for the creation of a Colonial Scientific and Research Service, but in view of the short time at their disposal their recommendations were confined to agriculture. In any event, however, as they point out in paragraph 56 of their report, the natural method of growth of a colonia. research service is the organization, in the first instance, of workers in the various fields of science into separate services, and the principles of the scheme of agricultural research organization which were set out in their report and approved by the Conference will be of the greatest value in considering the creation of separate research services in medical, veterinary, forestry, and other spheres. 3. It may be convenient to refer briefly to the recommendations of the committee. In the first instance they recommended the constitution of a Colonial Agricultural Research Council, whose membership should be partly lay and partly scientific. The functions of this Council should include the general guidance of all research work in the Colonial Empire ; the collection and publication of information where this is not already done by existing agencies ; and the organization and general principles of administration of a Colonial Agricultural Research Service. The committee recommended that a Colonial Agricultural Research Service should be formed by the admission to it of all specialist and research officers now in the colonial agricultural services, subject to certain conditions, and provided they so desired, and that all new recruits for such posts should enter the new service. Certain conditions were suggested to ensure that the proposed unified service should carry a high prestige and offer an attractive career for the best talent which could be obtained, but in the short time available it was not, of course, possible for the committee to make full recommendations on these points. I would, however, invite your attention to the proposal that a Provident Fund scheme should be instituted for the service. A Provident Fund scheme would not only avoid the complexities arising from the different pension systems of different dependencies, but would enable these scientific workers to transfer more easily not only within the colonial field but outside it. It seems clear that if we are to attract the best scientific brains from the universities of the Empire for this service the utmost freedom of movement must be assured. The Committee also referred in paragraphs 40 and 41 of their report to the chain of group research stations. The research staff of these stations would be members of the proposed unified service, and the guidance of the research work performed by them would be part of the duties of the Headquarters Council. The committee estimated that the cost of the proposed organization would amount to approximately £175,000, of which a considerable portion in respect of the emoluments of existing research officers is at present a charge on colonial revenues, and they suggested that that portion of the total cost which will fall upon colonial Gpvernments should be raised by means of a percentage cess upon revenues. Finally, the committee recommended that a further committee should be formed after the Conference to clear up details and to formulate their recommendations in a practical scheme for submission to colonial Governments. 4. It will be observed- that the Conference committee made full use of the findings of the report of the committee appointed by Mr. Thomas on agricultural research and administration in the non-self-governing dependencies, and I take this opportunity to enclose copies of this report (Cmd. 2825). Part I of this report, which relates to the recruitment and training of officers, was issued in 1925, and, as you will be aware, the scheme of colonial agricultural scholarshps which resulted from the recommendations of the committee has now been in force for about two years, with encouraging results. Parts II and 111 of the report were issued by the committee in October, 1926, and copies were circulated to the Research Special Sub-Committee of the Imperial Conference for information. Part IV was issued in the early part of this year, and the complete report was thereupon printed and laid before Parliament. Copies of the report were circulated to members of the Colonial Office Conference.

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5. In accordance with the resolution of the Conference, which is set out in paragraph 1 above, Mr. Amery appointed a committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Lovat, with the following terms of reference :— " To formulate practical proposals, for submission to the colonial Governments, to give effect to the resolution of the Colonial Office Conference on the subject of Colonial Agricultural Scientific and Research Services. " These proposals should include a scheme, based on contributions to a common pool, for the creation of a Colonial Agricultural Scientific and Research Service available for the requirements of the whole Colonial Empire, for the support of institutions needed for that purpose, and for the increase of research and study facilities in connection with the specialist agricultural services of the colonies generally." This committee wi'l not be in a position to submit a detailed scheme until the autumn, but, in view of the Secretary of State's approaching absence from this country, they prepared interim recommendations, which received Mr. Amery's approval before his departure on the 22nd July. The committee's final report will be communicated to you without delay as soon as it is available, but in the meantime I think it well to inform you of the probable contributions which colonial Governments will be asked to make towards meeting the cost of the scheme. 6. The committee took an early opportunity to discuss with the Empire Marketing Board the basis on which the Board might be prepared to give assistance to the scheme. For the purposes of this discussion an estimate of the cost of the scheme had been prepared. This estimate amounted to a total of £175,000, which was composed as follows (in round figures) : Headquarters organization, £21,000 ; group research stations, £43,000 ; research staff in colonial Agricultural Departments, £103,000; contingencies, £8,000. In adopting the provisional figure of £103,000 as the cost of the existing research staff in colonial Agricultural Departments the committee made allowance for the improvement in financial prospects recommended by the Conference committee in section 62 (a) of their report. The Empire Marketing Board expressed their willingness to give substantial assistance towards the cost of establishing a Colonial Agricultural Research Service, including the Headquarters Council. As regards group research stations, however, they pointed out that the Imperial Conference, 1926, had already approved the principle of an Empire chain of research stations (vide Section XIX in Cmd. 2768), and, as the proceedings of that Conference show, the Dominions are as much interested in that chain as the colonies. The Board consequently preferred that, for the purposes of their contribution, expenditure on the central research stations should not be grouped with the creation of the Colonial Agricultural Research Council and the organization of a single colonial Research Service, but should be separately considered by them. There is also the further point that however essential the creation of these stations may be it will only be possible to proceed slowly in their establishment in view of the present lack of the necessary staff. 7. The enclosed formula represents the agreement which has been reached with the Empire Marketing Board, and confirmed by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs regarding the assistance which they will be prepared to give for a period of five years, which is the maximum period for which the Board make grants. lam of the opinion that this agreement is entirely satisfactory from the point of view of the colonies, since the contributions which may be expected from the Empire Marketing Fund towards the creation and maintenance of central research stations and the contribution now agreed to will, taken together, amount to considerably more than the £40,000 or £50,000 which it was originally hoped that the Board would give towards the scheme as a whole. 8. Following upon the agreement reached with the Empire Marketing Board, the committee reconsidered the total sum for which it was reasonable to estimate, at any rate during the initial three or four years. As stated above, the committee have estimated the cost of the headquarters organization and of the research staff in colonial Agricultural Departments as approximately £21,000 and £103,000 respectively. They have recommended that there should be added to this the cost of the complete staff of one group research station, amounting to approximately £22,000, on the assumption that the Empire Marketing Board will be prepared in due course to make a grant of this sum, or perhaps even more, which can be applied to the financing of the staff of a further station. The total sum, therefore, for which the committee have estimated amounts to approximately £146,000, from which there falls to be deducted the sum of £22,000 in respect of the Empire Marketing Board's contribution. The committee recommend that the balance of £124,000 should be met by a cess on gross colonial revenues of one four-hundredth. This cess would produce approximately £131,000, thus leaving a balance for contingencies and expansion during this period of some £7,000. It is, I think, reasonable to anticipate that the necessary expansion in the Colonial Agricultural Research Service will be met by the steady expansion of colonial revenues. 9. As I have already stated, the committee are still actively pursuing their inquiries, and their final report cannot be completed until the autumn. They are, however, already agreed that it will be necessary for the Colonial Agricultural Research Council to be established for some little time before the single Colonial Agricultural Research Service can be inaugurated. It will therefore be necessary to arrange for the financing of the Council during the preliminary period between its establishment and the inauguration of the new service. As already stated, the total amount required for the headquarters organization is approximately £21,000, of which the Empire Marketing Board will subscribe £10,500. It is hoped that colonial Governments will be willing to contribute the remaining £10,500 during this interim period, and the committee will in due course suggest the basis on which these contributions might be paid. These contributions would naturally be absorbed when the proposed cess comes into operation.

5—A. 2.

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10. Some explanation is desirable as to the importance attached by the committee to the establishment of the Agricultural Research Council in advance of the inauguration of the single Colonial Agricultural Research Service. The committee are in general agreement as to the functions of the Council recommended in paragraph 25 of the report of the Conference Committee. It, is, however, recognized that no final definition of the work of the Council can be laid down until after the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference has met in October next, when the question of establishing further Imperial bureaux to deal with soil science and plant genetics is likely to be considered. In any event, it is agreed that the Council will have to deal with the following important matters : (a) Supply and training of the necessary scientific workers in conjunction with the recruiting authorities at the Colonial Office ; (b) group research stations in the colonies ; (c) relations with analogous bodies outside the colonial Empire ; (d) relations with the research staffs in colonial Agricultural Departments ; (e) the collection and publication of information where this is not already done by existing agencies; (f) the consideration of the major questions of research; (g) the general guidance of research work in the colonies. Evidence was received from the Director of the Imperial Institute, who gave the committee his views regarding (1) the intelligence work to be performed by the Council, and (2) its relations in this respect with the Imperial Institute. The Committee are unanimous in the opinion that the intelligence staff already existing at the Imperial Institute should be regarded as the nucleus of the organization now contemplated as regards the collection and publication of information, and that the Council should build on what is already being done at the Institute, and should in no way attempt to create a separate organization of its own. While the Imperial Institute is primarily concerned with bringing the produced output to the notice of the utilizer, the Council will be more particularly concerned with the actual producer and grower of the crop. It is recognized, however, as important that the closest possible touch should be maintained between the two bodies in their closely related spheres, and that the intelligence work to be initiated by the Council should be regarded as complementary to that of the Imperial Institute. In particular, the Council should interlock with the Plant and Animal Products Council of the Institute. The committee are confident that the arrangements which they will propose in this respect will be found entirely satisfactory, and that excellent results will be secured by the linking-up of agricultural research in the colonies with the work done by the Imperial Institute. As regards the constitution of the Council to fit it for the functions indicated in the foregoing paragraphs, the committee are in general agreement with the membership proposed in the Report of the Committee of the Colonial Office Conference. They are, however, of opinion that the two principal whole-time officers of the Council should be known as the Chief Agricultural Adviser to the Secretary of State and Assistant Agricultural Adviser respectively. This would make it clear that the functions of the chief technical officer would be analogous in the field of agriculture to those of Dr. Stanton, the recently established Chief Medical Adviser in that of medicine. It is contemplated that the Chief Adviser's special duties will lie m'ore particularly in the purely scientific sphere, while on his assistant will devolve relations with Agricultural Departments and Administrations in the dependencies. Both officers will thus have duties of a general character of value to the colonial Empire over and above the special functions of the proposed Research Council. The committee consider that the Director of the Imperial Institute should represent the Institute on the Council, and, while the importance is recognized of keeping the numbers of the Council as low as possible, it is proposed to give further consideration to (1) the desirability of giving power to the Council to co-opt additional members if necessary, and (2) suggestions which were made for adding to the Council a geneticist, a representative of animal physiology, and a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. I have no doubt that you will agree, in the light of the foregoing explanation, that it is essential that the Agricultural Research Council should be established at as early a date as possible, as a preliminary to the more effective organization of agricultural research in the colonial Empire. 11. You will appreciate that the discussions and recommendations of the forthcoming Imperial Agricultural Research Conference will have a direct bearing upon the scheme of colonial agricultural research which the committee are considering. lam therefore arranging for the colonial delegates to that Conference to be informed of the probable recommenda,tions of the committee before the Conference meets. A copy of this despatch will also be sent to each delegate for his information. 12. As indicated in paragraph 5, I have thought it desirable to inform you of the action already taken on the resolution of the Colonial Office Conference, and to give such forecast as it is at present possible of the main problems, the details of which will require some time to elaborate before effect can be given to the recommendations of the Conference Committee. I feel sure that you will agree that the proposals for the establishment of a central Council and of a unified service of research officers are matters of great importance, which, if successfully initiated, should materially assist in colonial development. I confidently recommend these proposals to the sympathetic consideration of your Government, and shall be glad to receive at as early a date as possible an expression of your views upon them. I have, &c., For the Secretary of State, -~"~ W. Ormsby Gore, The Office Administering the Government of

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[Enclosure No. 2 in Circular despatch dated 11th August, 1927.] Formula. 1. The Empire Marketing Board will recommend to the Secretary of State that a contribution should be made from the Empire Marketing Fund, not exceeding £22,000 per annum, for a period of five years, in the first instance, towards the cost of establishing a Colonial Agricultural Research Service (including Headquarters Council and staff) on the conditions set out below. 2. The above figure of £22,000 per annum is intended to provide for (a) half the cost of the proposed headquarters organization, not exceeding £10,500 per annum; (b) half the additional cost of the Colonial Agricultural Research staff when organized as a single service, not exceeding £11,500 per annum. This contribution is dependent upon sufficient colonial Governments accepting the scheme to justify the Colonial Office in proceeding with it, and is subject to adjustment if a less sum is initially required. 3. As regards central research stations, it is agreed that each station should be the subject of discussion between the Empire Marketing Board and the new Council as plans for their foundation or development take shape. The Board desire to make it clear that their inability to recommend the immediate promise of a grant for a new central research station does not imply any reluctance to recommend such a grant at a later stage. It is understood that the proposed new Council will be at liberty to approach the Board for further assistance towards the foundation or development of research stations as and when definite plans are evolved, and the Board undertake to give sympathetic consideration to any such proposals. 4. The Board also wish to make it clear that in the course of some years it may be necessary to review their grants to colonial research in the light of their own other liabilities and the state of colonial resources, and neither party looks upon the assistance proposed as a flat-rate fifty-fifty contribution over an indefinite period of time. As expenditure on central research stations and special schemes increases, the Board's contribution to the colonial Research staff and the Headquarters Council will be subject to review from time to time.

No. 37. New Zealand, Dominions No. 479. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th August, 1927. With reference to Mr. Amery's despatch, Dominions No. 341, of the 28th July, 1926, I. have the honour" to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of the Report of the Director of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology for the financial year ended the 31st March, 1927. 2. It will be observed that annexed to the Director's report is a report by the Superintendent of the Parasite Laboratory which has been set up under the auspices of the Bureau. In this connection I would invite reference to paragraph 3 of the despatch mentioned above, relative to the decision of the Managing Committee of the Bureau to make a start on a limited scale with the establishment of a laboratory for breeding beneficial parasites for export to oversea Governments. 3. Subsequently to taking that decision the Managing Committee submitted to the Empire Marketing Board a proposal that a grant should be made from the funds controlled by the Board towards the establishment of a laboratory for this purpose. The Board approved the principle that a grant should be made from their funds, and, although they were not able to accept the original proposal that a grant of £10,000 a year for ten years should be guaranteed with a view to building up an endowment- fund to secure the continuation of the work after the grant had ceased, they agreed to provide a sum of £15,000 for the necessary capital expenditure in connection with the establishment of the laboratory, together with an annual grant of £4,000 (which has since been increased to £5,000) for five years to meet recurrent expenditure. With this generous support, and the assurance of financial assistance for at least five years, the Managing Committee of the Bureau were able to undertake the establishment of a Parasite Laboratory upon a somewhat larger scale than had been anticipated when the matter was first discussed. 4. Dr. S. A. Neave, the Assistant Director of the Bureau, has been appointed Superintendent of the laboratory, on the understanding that he will retain his present appointment as Assistant Director of the Bureau, and will continue, at any rate for the present, to supervise generally the publications work of the Bureau. 5. The Managing Committee have pointed out that while, with the additional funds now available, the scope of the laboratory will be greater than was originally

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contemplated, these funds are sufficient to cover the overhead expenses only ; and, as the staff will be fully occupied for at least two years in carrying out the programme mentioned in the Director's report, it will be necessary, in the event of a request being made for the supply of other parasites, for the Government concerned to make a grant for the purpose, as additional assistance would then be required. They also observe that although with the assistance obtained from the Empire Marketing Board towards the establishment of the laboratory it is hoped that it will not be necessary, as originally contempleted, to trench upon the surplus balance of the Bureau for this purpose, the ordinary duties of the Bureau will be carried out on the same scale as hitherto, and the annual income provided by the Governments which contribute towards its upkeep will still be necessary to enable the Bureau to perform these duties. 6. I take this opportunity to observe, with reference to paragraph 2 of the despatch under reference, that the India Research Fund Association have agreed to make a grant to the Bureau of £500 for the year 1927-28. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir G. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Report of the Director of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology for the Year ended 31st March, 1927. The outstanding feature of the work of the Bureau during the past year has been the acquisition from the Empire Marketing Board of a grant for the establishment of a Parasite Laboratory, which was formally reported at the last half-yearly meeting of the committee. Satisfactory progress has already been made with this matter, but it was not quite so easy as it at first appeared to find a house that would meet all the rather complex requirements of the case, arid Dr. Neave had to spend a good deal of time in examining various properties. Finally we selected Farnham House, Farnham Royal, Bucks, a fifteen-roomed house standing in about 6| acres of ground. In making this selection we were very kindly assisted by Mr. J. C. F. Fryer, from the point of view of laboratory requirements, and we also received invaluable assistance from two other entomologists, Mr. W. G. Sheldon, of John Greenwood and Co., builders, and Mr. E. C. Bedwell, of Farebrother, Ellis, and Co., surveyors and valuers, who gave us expert advice regarding the structural condition of the buildings, the probable cost of adaptation, and the cost of maintenance. In view of possible future developments Farnham House is rather on the small side, but if we were to pull down an extension which now forms the gardener's cottage we could put up a two-story wing which would provide another eight or ten fair-sized rooms. A detailed statement of all the work that has been done on the house will be found in a report by the Superintendent of the laboratory in Appendix I. The preliminary programme of work that has been arranged is as follows : (1) To ascertain the most effective European parasite of the codlin-moth, for this is likely to be of considerable value to the apple industry in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, &c. ; (2) the export of earwig parasites to Canada and New Zealand ; (3) to discover the natural enemies of the so-called lucerne-flea (Smynthurus vividis), a common and unimportant insect in this country which has already prevented the growing of lucerne in some parts of South Australia, and is beginning to spread ; (4) the export to Canada of parasites of Lecanium caprece, a potential apple pest that has recently established itself in various parts of Canada ; (5) the transmission of the woolly-aphis parasite {Aphelinus mali) to Kenya Colony ; (6) the sending of further consignments of the blowfly parasite (Alysia manduccitor) to Australia and New Zealand. This programme is perhaps already rather too large for our present staff, but we have also received requests for parasites of a small moth that does widespread injury to the foilage of spruce and fir in Canada, and for those of a large timber-boring sawfly that is doing serious damage to one of the most important conifers in New Zealand. In most of these problems all we can expect to do during the present season is to make a start with the preliminary investigations. In the scheme for this parasite work as originally drafted there was a serious deficiency, in that no provision was made for the prompt and reliable identification of the parasites with which we should have to deal—a matter of great practical importance. This was due merely to the fact that the men competent to do this work are extremely few in number, and that they are already overwhelmed with requests for identifications from all parts of the world. Fortunately it was ascertained a few months ago that one of them, Dr. Charles Ferriere, Entomologist to the Berne Museum, was willing to give up his post there provided that he could obtain another in which he could devote his whole time to the study of parasitic Hymenoptera. The opportunity was too good to be lost ; and after consultation with our chairman and the Colonial Office a memorandum was sent in to the Empire Marketing Board asking for financial assistance to enable us to secure the services of this specialist. It is a pleasure to be able to report that the Board received this proposal most sympathetically, and they have made

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arrangements to increase their annual grant to us from £4,000 to £5,000. Dr. Ferriere hopes to be able to start work with us on the Ist September, and certainly not later than the Ist October. He has agreed to accept the initial salary of a senior assistant, and the committee is asked to confirm this tentative offer which it was necessary to make to him. As a result of Dr. J. G. Myers's work in Essex last summer a number of blowfly puparia have been distributed, of which a considerable percentage was parasitized by the Braconid "wasp, Alysia mandvcator. The numbers sent out were as follows : New South Wales, 6,400 ; New Zealand, 6,000 ; Western Australia, 2,800 ; and the Falkland Islands, 1,260. In Australia and New Zealand parasites were bred from the material, and Mr. D. Miller, in New Zealand, obtained a good second generation, and has released two lots. Mr. Gurney, in Sydney, also secured a local generation, but has recently reported that the insects are not doing well, but gradually decreasing. No reports have come in from the other localities. With regard to the parasite ( Misocyclops) of the pear leaf-curling midge sent to New Zealand, very satisfactory reports have been received from the Government Entomologist, Mr. D. Miller. Writing in December last, he said that a great number of parasites had been bred from the material sent out, and that a second generation had been found in the field. Writing on 24th March, 1927, he says : At this time of year pear-trees in midge areas usually show no signs of leaves, but this year there is quite a show of healthy foliage." The parasite has been found to have established itself in several orchards. Finance. —In Appendix II will be found an account of the sums received and expended during the past year. Nearly all the items are much the same as usual, and accord fairly closely with the estimates. Salaries are £500 higher than last year, owing to increases in the staff, and general expenses are up by £137, owing to an exceptional payment of £127 for arrears of national health and unemployment insurance, our liability for which had been in dispute. Arrangements have now been made with the Ministry of Health whereby both the Bureau and its staff are exempted from payments for health insurance and old-age pensions, but they are still liable for contributions for unemployment insurance. On the income side there was a fall of £44 in interest on deposits, and a rise of £15 in receipts from the Zoological Record. Appendix 111 shows our present cash resources and outstanding liabilities, the unexpended balance being £8,573. An estimate of the revenue and expenditure for the current financial year will be found in Appendix IV, the probable surplus being £1,193 ; this is higher than last year's estimate, partly owing to the transfer of Dr. Neave's salary to the Laboratory Account, and partly to the lower salary increments that will be paid this year as a result of the arrangements made for consolidating the bonuses. Collections of Insects. —The number of insects received, as well as the identification work done, shows an increase as compared with the previous year, although the figures do not quite come up to those of two years ago. There has, however, been a marked increase in the number of correspondents who have sent us material for identification. In the following details the corresponding figures for the preceding year are given in brackets for comparison : — The collections received totalled 378 (314), and these were sent in by 158 (133) different correspondents, distributed as follows : Africa, 57 ; Asia, 40 ; Australasia, 22 ; Europe, 20 ; Tropical America, 19. The collections contained 62,200 (54,200) specimens, of which 4,900 (4,800) were bloodsuckers. During the year 250 (218) lists of identifications were issued, comprising 6,763 (6,155) specific names. The insects presented to the British Museum numbered 19,600 (14,900), of which 286 (318) were types of species new to science, and among the remainder were 444 (553) named species not previously represented in the national collection. Some 3,400 named specimens of blood-sucking insects were presented to the following institutions : London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and Pacific Biological Laboratories. Review of Applied Entomology.—The volumes for 1926 were somewhat larger than those for 1925, containing 880 (824) pages, although the number of abstracts was actually less, being 2,365 (2,514). During the earlier months of this year thera has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of entomological papers, and there is certain to be a steady growth in the amount of literature that will have to be abstracted annually. It must also be remembered that with each succeeding volume of the Review it becomes increasingly difficult to avoid the publishing of abstracts that are little more than repetitions of earlier ones, and that the search for references to earlier abstracts on the same subject (which we always give, where possible) becomes necessarily more arduous. Highly techincal papers on chemistry and similar subjects in their relations to entomology are also becoming more numerous, and the abstracting and editing of these take considerably more time than in the case of purely entomological papers. There seems, therefore, to be a real need for some increase in the abstracting staff. So far as sales are concerned there has again been a satisfactory increase in the number of annual subscribers, those taking series "A " totalling 393 (352), and those taking "B " 339 (323). On the other hand, the sales of back volumes have not been so high as in the previous year, amounting only to £188 16s. lOd. (£221 17s. 6d.), and the receipts from advertisements—namely, £27 2s. 6d. (£42 lis. 3d.) — also show a falling off ; but this was only to be expected in a year in which trade was so bad. There has been a continued small demand for the ten-vear index to series " B," 22 copies having been sold, bringing in £9 18s. Of this index, ] ,000 copies were printed, and 512 have now been sold or distributed. The total net sales, exclusive of advertisements, amounted to £469 18s. Bd., having been £541 in 1925, £431 in 1924, and £341 in 1923. Zoological Record.—Volume 62 of the " Insecta " part, covering the literature for 1925, was published in August, 1926, and was, therefore, more up to date in its appearance than has ever previously been the case, and this in spite of the fact that it was a very large volume, dealing with 3,230 papers and occupying 421 pages. The statement rendered to the Zoological Society at the end of the calendar year showed a balance of £47 13s. 3d. (£3l lis. Id.) in favour of the Bureau, after deduction

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of the amounts due to the Zoological Society, discounts to booksellers, and postages. No exact comparison with the previous year is possible owing to the fact that in December, 1925, the Bureau had only taken over the sale of the Record during the very short period of about three months, but it will be remembered from the last report that the standard figure of average sales of a given part was 67 copies. Of the volume under report, 94 were sold during the calendar year, and a further Bup to the 31st March. In addition 6 complete sets in sections of Volume 62, 37 odd sections of both 62 and 61 (1924), and 43 copies of various back volumes were sold. Sundry Publications.—A further sum of £7 2s. 3d. was received during the year from the sale of 20 copies of the book on tsetse flies by Major E. E. Austen and Mr. E. Hegh. A total number of 460 copies has now been sold, and these have brought in a net return of £223 ss. 9d., as against a total expenditure of £285. Twelve papers dealing with insects sent in to the Bureau for identification have been published during the year in the Annals and, Magazine of Natural History, under the arrangement by which we contribute to the cost of publication. These comprise : One by Mr. K. G. Blair (tenebrionid beetles), one by Mr. E. Brunetti (cyrtid flies), one by Mr. G. E. Bryant (phytophagous beetles), one by Dr. L. Chopard (crickets), one by Mr. C. H. Curran (dolichopodid flies), two by Mr. ,T. R. Malloch (muscid flies), two by Mr. F. Muir (Homoptera), and three by the Director (weevils). Our payments for these amounted to £54 16s. Library. —The pamphlet collection now numbers over 10,000, being an increase of over 1,100 for the year, and the number of bound volumes in the library is 5,246 (4,805). The latter figures represent the smallest annual increase since March, 1921, the relatively large figures during the intervening period being due to the acquisition of literature issued in ex-enemy countries during the war. The number of periodicals, however, shows an increase, over 950 (920) serial publications (including annual reports) being now received. The card catalogue of the library, arranged under authors, now contains over 38,000 titles ; it forms a card index to the whole of the pamphlets, which is kept up to date, and to about 70 per cent, of the entomological papers in the bound volumes of serials. New editions of the typewritten catalogues of serials, and of the text-books and separate works, were prepared during the year. The number of books issued on loan in 1926 was 290, as compared with 408 in 1925. Institutions availing themselves of the library during the year included the London and Liverpool Schools of Tropical Medicine, the Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases, the Imperial Bureau of Mycology, the Wellcome Bureau of Scientific Research, and the University of Birmingham. Staff. —The changes due to the transfer of Dr. Neave and Miss Davenport to the laboratory have inevitably caused a little dislocation of the work in the Fublication Office, which was accentuated by sickness among the staff during the early part of the year ; but in addition to this there has been during recent months a noticeable increase in the influx of literature, with a result that the abstracting-work has got somewhat seriously in arrear. To remedy this it was found necessary to take on an additional lady abstractor for three months from the Ist April, and the covering approval of the committee is sought for this. But a reconsideration of the general organization of the work in the Publication Office has now made it clear that the congestion cannot be adequately met merely by a temporary appointment of this kind, and as it is of great importance that the Review should be kept right up to date, the committee is recommended to make the appointment of this abstractor, Miss Smythe, permanent. On the financial side there is no difficulty whatever, for a glance at the estimates for the current year will show that ample funds are available. Unfortunately, the new junior assistant appointed recently to take charge of the Zoological Record work did not prove satisfactory, and Mr. McCracken was taken on in his place from the Ist May. Tsetse Investigations.—The recommendation on page 10 of the first report of the Tsetse Fly SubCommittee of the Committee of Civil Research, that an organization should be set up in Tanganyika Territory for an experimental attack upon the cattle tsetse-flies on a large scale, was referred to the Government of the Tanganyika Territory for consideration. In reporting on the proposal the Governor stated that it had been found necessary to revise the estimate of the annual recurrent expenditure which the scheme would involve, and the estimated expenditure is now £12,500 per annum, as compared with the figure of £9,900 originally suggested by the sub-committee. The revised estimate is made up as follows : European and clerical staff, £6,250 ; African assistants, £1,250 ; travelling, passages, and contingencies, £3,170 ; special courses, equipment, labour, uniforms, and books, £1,410 ; railway fares and freight, £420 : total, £12,500. The Governor asked that a sum of £70,000 should be set aside from the East Africa Guaranteed Loan to cover the cost of these experiments over a period of five years, and the Treasury have now agreed that this service shall be financed from the loan, subject to reconsideration at the time when the loan is actually issued. Steps are being taken, in consultation with the Director of Game Preservation in Tanganyika Territory, to select the special staff required for this work, which will consist of three entomologists, two zoologists, one protozoologist, one botanist, one ecologist, one curator, eight reclamation officers, and two assistant reclamation officers. Very satisfactory progress has been made by the tsetse investigators in Northern Nigeria, and an interesting report by them will be published very shortly in the Bulletin of Entomological Research. They appear to be satisfied that, despite various difficulties, controlled grass-burning has a real value against Glossina morsitans in suitable localities. It has to be reported with regret that Mr. W. F. Fiske, who has worked for so many years on tsetse problems in Uganda, has recently found it necessary to resign. It is not yet known what arrangements will be made for carrying on tsetse work in that country. The news from Nyasaland is most disappointing, for a telegram has been received from there to the effect that the attempt to stop the incursion of Glossina morsitans into the Dowa district by clearing a broad belt has definitely failed, and all work on it has been suspended. No details are yet known. May, 1927.

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Appendix 1. —Report by the Superintendent of the Laboratory. Since the last meeting of the Managing Committee, Farnham House, Farnham Royal, near Slough, has been purchased for conversion into a parasite laboratory. This property is very conveniently situated, about two and a half miles from Slough, on the Slough-Beaconsfield Road. Burnham Beeches are only about one and a half miles distant, and a half-hourly omnibus service to and from Slough Station passes the gates. The price paid was £4,600, and the total cost in connection with the purchase, including legal expenses and surveyors' fees, &c., will be in the neighbourhood of £5,000. Messrs. Farebrother, Ellis, and Co., of 29 Fleet Street, negotiated the purchase on behalf of the Bureau, and a representative of that firm, Mr. E. C. BedwelL has most efficiently supervised the many and somewhat complicated alterations that have been necessary. Legal possession of the property was obtained on the Ist February, and immediate steps were taken to adapt it for its new purpose. The house comprises some fourteen principal rooms, besides numerous outbuildings, a cottage for the caretaker-mechanic, quarters for the head gardener, two garages, a stable, greenhouses, &c., and a large barn. There are about 6| acres of land, more than half of which forms the garden. The general and decorative repairs to the whole of the premises, together with the specialized work required to convert the house into a laboratory, are being executed by Messrs. John Deverill, Ltd., of Slough. Generally, the work comprises, apart from the decorations and repairs, the provision of special teak-topped benches with white glazed tiling over them in nine rooms. Each bench is fitted with a sink, triple laboratory-tap, three-way gas-taps, power and lighting plugs, necessary water-supply, sealed waste-pipe aiid drains. In one of the rooms, which has been transformed into a studio, the small window has been removed and the opening enlarged to about 8 ft. square. A girder has been inserted over the opening and a new steel-framed window, glazed with J in. plate glass, inserted. Five other windows have been removed above certain of the benches, and new frames have been inserted and filled with plate glass in a single square. A dark-room has been formed with a new mack partition, and a very large lead-lined sink provided with special photographer's tap, &c. A cloakroom and new W.C. have been formed on the ground floor with the usual fittings. New teak nosings have been fixed to the main stairs, and rubber nosings to the secondary staircase ; cork carpet treads have been provided, and all landings have been covered with the same material. A refrigerator-house has been constructed by throwing the larder and dairy into one and raising the roof, inserting the necessary girder, and providing a new concrete granolithic floor. A new timber and corrugated-iron enclosure with concrete floor has also been provided to accommodate the new petrol-gas plant, and the necessary steel gantry has been erected in connection therewith. Such drains as were defective have been removed, and new drains provided where necessary to pick up the various sinks. The filtering-medium to the filter-beds into which the sewage is pumped has been renewed ; the enclosing walls have been repaired, and the automatic apparatus put in order. The cost of the whole of the foregoing work is estimated at about £1,400. It was found that the electric-light cable had not sufficient capacity to supply the requisite light and power required to meet the new conditions. A new cable has therefore been laid by the Slough and Datchet Electric Supply Co., Ltd., capable of carrying a maximum current of 180 amperes. The cost of this work, after deducting the value of the existing cable, will be about £50. Considerable alterations have been made to the electric-light installation ; additional switch-gear has been necessitated in consequence of the installation of power as well as light: various defective circuits have been renewed, and many new points provided for both light and power, and light has been carried into the carpenter's shop and also the potting-shed. The total cost of this work, including the necessary fittings, is estimated somewhat to exceed £300, and is being carried out by Messrs. J. W. Gray and Son, of 91 Leadenhall Street, E.C. A petrol-gas plant is being installed by Messrs. McVicker, Morris, and Co., Ltd., of St. Albans, at an estimated cost of £216 10s. This plant is required to operate Bunsen burners on the benches in the various laboratories. Central heating has been installed by Messrs. Wontner-Smith, Gray, and Co., Ltd., of Sun Street, Finsbury, at a cost of about £300. Radiators are provided in the various rooms, hall, passages, &c., and these are heated by an independent boiler in one of the cellars. It is expected that by the time this report is in print the whole of the above work will be completed. In addition, two insectaries are being erected in the garden, one of which is being roofed with Vita glass, the probable cost of these being about £450 in all. The total cost of furnishing, including considerable quantities of shelving and covering the floors with cork carpet throughout the building, except in three rooms on the ground floor, which are provided with hair carpets, is about £650. The bulk of the scientific apparatus has yet to be purchased, but a refrigerating plant has been ordered at a cost of £165, and this will be installed shortly. The sum of about £140 has been expended in carpenter's and gardener's tools, including a motor mower. A carpenter's shop has been fitted up in one of the outbuildings, and Mr. J. Smith, our mechanic, is already at work making insect- cages, &c. A car has been purchased for the use of the laboratory, a shop-soiled 14-h.p. Hillman having been obtained at a very moderate price. A telephone, Farnham Common 187, has been installed, and the address, Entburlab, has been registered at the Post Office for cables and telegrams. Immediately on obtaining possession of the property steps were taken to provide somewhat better shelter for some of the future experimental plots, and an extensive privet hedge was planted, and also a wind-screen of Canadian poplars and other trees along the northern boundary. In view of the probability that work on insect pests of forest-trees would be necessary in the near future, some two hundred young larch, spruce, &c., have been planted in the paddock, and these will ultimately provide additional shelter for further experimental plots. These trees were obtained gratis from the Forestry Commission, through the good offices of Dr. J. W. Munro. Two of the research-rooms have been rented by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from the Ist June, 1927, for the accommodation of Dr. P. A. Buxton and his staff, at a rental of £150 per annum. These rooms will be furnished by the Bureau, and the rent will include rates

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and taxes, and the use of water, gas, electric current, &c. This figure is a provisional one, and is subject to revision at the end of one year. The total estimated expenditure on capital account, exclusive of scientific apparatus yet to be bought, is anticipated to be in the neighbourhood of £9,250. Staff. —It will be remembered that the appointments of Mr. R. Stenton and Dr. J. G. Myers as senior and junior technical assistants respectively, and the transfer of Miss R. Davenport from the Publication Office as secretary, were approved at the last meeting of the committee. Since the purchase of the property Mr. J. Smith has been selected for the post of caretaker-mechanic at £2 17s. 6d. a week and a cottage. He is a remarkably competent carpenter and all-round mechanic. Mrs. Smith will undertake the cleaning, &c., of the laboratory for a further 17s. 6d. a week. Mr. P. Trevaskis has been appointed as head gardener at £2 10s. a week with quarters. He was trained at the famous gardens at Aldenham House, and created a very favourable impression as a student at Kew, whence he has come to us direct. He has already done some excellent work. The services of Mr. J. Macro, an under-gardener in the employ of the former occupier of the property, have been retained at £2 ss. a week. Mr. L. F. Milton, of the Department of Science, University of Durham, has been appointed laboratory assistant at an initial salary of £210 per annum. A boy of fifteen, who lives in the neighbourhood and has a marked taste for natural history, has been appointed at a salary of 15s. per week to assist him and to be trained in the handling of living insects. This will complete the requisite staff for the present, though if the probable demands from the Dominions and colonies are realized in the next year or two, additions to the technical staff will be essential. Unless there is some unforeseen delay, the laboratory should be in working-order by the Ist June, though, owing to the season being already far advanced, the investigations that can be undertaken this year will necessarily be limited and of a preliminary character only. Appendix II. —Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31st March, 1927. Received. Expended. £ s. d. £ s. d. Government grants .. .. .. .. .. 13,403 18 6 Interest on deposits .. .. .. .. .. 348 4 3 Review of Applied Entomology .. .. .. .. 563 8 5 1,110 14 3 Bulletin of Entomological Research .. .. .. .. 365 17 10 666 18 9 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,340 15 6 Queen's Gate office .. .. .. .. .. .. 624 11 5 Library .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 191 11 8 Office and library furniture .. .. . . .. .. .. 135 17 4 Scientific equipment .. . . .. .. .. .. 49 8 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 16 3 Translations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 17 6 Specialists' fees .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 90 2 3 General expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 282 0 11 " Handbook of Tropical African Pests" .. .. .. .. 49 2 9 Zoological Record (" Insecta ") .. .. .. .. 102 15 5 61 0 0 Tropical African Fund .. .. .. .. .. 723 Carnegie students .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Sundry publications .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 2 2 Provident Fund .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 656 13 0 Suspense .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 £14,891 6 8 £12,581 11 9 Appendix 111. —General Financial Position as at 31st March, 1927. Received. Expended. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cash with Crown Agents .. .. .. .. .. .. 481 16 3 Cash on deposit .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 7,500 0 0 Invested in 4 per cent, funding stock .. .. .. .. 2,500 0 0 Stationery Office, paid in advance .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Government grants outstanding : South Africa, £350 ; S.Rhodesia, £300 .. .. .. .. • • •• •• .. 650 0 0 Outstanding liabilities — Salaries for March .. .. .. . ■ . . 629 0 0 Government grants paid in advance .. .. .. 50 0 0 Review of Applied Entomology (six parts and two indices) .. 604 0 0 Bulletin of Entomological Research (three parts and index) .. 386 0 0 Balance of Carnegie Fund . . .. . . . . .. 231 11 0 Publication Office, rent, lighting, &c. .. . . .. 150 0 0 Stationery Office .. .. . • • • • • • • 30 0 0 Library .. .. .. . • • • • • • ■ 20 2 9 Sundry publications .. .. • • • • • • 20 0 0 2,120 13 9 11,331 16 3 Balance of Tropical African Fund .. .. 638 0 8 Balance of Bureau Fund .. .. .. 8,573 1 10 £11,331 16 3 £11,331 16 3

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Appendix IV. —Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year 1927-28. Received. Expended. £ s. d. £ s. d. Government grants .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,162 0 0 Interest and dividends .. . , .. . . .. .. 350 0 0 Zoological Record, net sales . . . . .. . . .. .. 40 0 0 Salaries .. .. .. . . .. . . .. 8,565 0 0 Provident Fund . . . .. . . . . .. 428 5 0 Review of Applied Entomology (deficit) .. .. . . 600 0 0 Bulletin of Entomological Research (deficit) .. .. .. 300 0 0 Sundry publications . . .. . . .. .. 100 0 0 Queen's Gate office .. .. . . .. . . 650 0 0 Library .. . . .. .. . . . . .. 250 0 0 Translations . . ~ .. .. .. . . 30 0 0 Travelling-expenses . . .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 General expenses .. .. . . .. . . .. 180 0 0 Specialists' fees .. .. . . .. .. .. 50 0 0 Office and library furniture .. .. .. .. .. 7500 Scientific equipment .. . . . . .. . . 50 0 0 11,358 5 0 12,552 0 0 Balance .. .. . . .. .. 1,193 15 0 £12,552 0 0 £12,552 0 0

No. 38. New Zealand, No. 175. Sir, — Downing Street, Bth September, 1927. With reference to my telegram of the 28th July, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the question of assistance for the transport of pedigree stock from this country has been under consideration by the Empire Marketing Board. 2. The Imperial Economic Committee, in their first and second reports (Cmd. 2493, paragraph 43, and Cmd. 2499, paragraph 56), recommended that part of the Empire Marketing Fund should be devoted " to defray the cost of transporting pedigree breeding cattle, sheep, and swine from the United Kingdom to other parts of the Empire." This recommendation has been periodically considered by the Empire Marketing Board since its appointment; but the almost continuous existence of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain since the date of the Board's appointment has compelled the oversea Governments of the Empire to forbid the importation of British stock and has postponed the possibility of giving practical effect to the recommendation. 3. In May, 1927, the Royal Agricultural Society of Great Britain submitted to the Board a scheme for the establishment of portal quarantine stations. This scheme was approved by the Board. A quarantine station in the London Docks is in course of erection, and will, it is hoped, be ready for use by November. The establishment of additional stations at Glasgow and Liverpool is being actively explored. If all three stations are established the Board anticipate a charge upon the Empire Marketing Fund in respect of them of £15,000 capital and £7,500 per annum maintenance expenditure. 4. Having thus taken steps to secure that the export of pedigree stock to the oversea parts of the Empire should at least not be wholly discontinued, the Board have returned to an examination of the recommendation made by the Imperial Economic Committee. The more closely that recommendation has been examined in the light of present circumstances, the more difficult it has been found to frame a comprehensive scheme, applicable to the different parts of the Empire concerned, which would at once secure the advantages desired and not involve a disproportionate appropriation from the Empire Marketing Fund. 5. In view of these difficulties the Board have decided to abandon the idea of framing a comprehensive scheme, and to invite oversea Governments to frame and

6—A. 2.

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submit schemes adapted to their own special requirements. This course will, it is felt, leave oversea Governments free to determine the class of pedigree animal whose importation should thus be specially encouraged and the agencies for importation to whom special facilities should be given. 6. In adopting this course the Board have laid down the following general governing limitations : — (i) Assistance from the Empire Marketing Fund will be given only to those parts of the Empire which have established, or can show a reasonable prospect of establishing, an export trade to this country in meat, hides, wool, or dairy-produce. This limitation is inevitable, having regard to the terms of the parliamentary vote attached to the Empire Marketing Fund. (ii) Assistance will only be given in the case of voyages of over one thousand miles. (iii) Contributions from the Empire Marketing Fund will be made conditional upon an equal amount being contributed by or through the oversea Government concerned. The oversea contribution required might be made either by a Government or, for example, by an oversea Breed Society. But in the latter case the terms of any scheme proposed should exclude the possibility of the oversea contribution coming merely from the pocket of an individual importer (iv) The total liabilities of the fund towards all parts of the Empire under schemes so framed and approved will be limited to a maximum of £50,000 per annum, and to an experimental period of two years. 7. The Board accordingly invite His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, should they so desire, to frame and forward a scheme within the broad lines indicated, together with an estimate of its proable annual cost. In the event of such a scheme being agreed, the responsibility for its administration would be left to the oversea Government concerned, a lump annual grant being made from the Empire Marketing Fund to that Government upon such conditions as the approved scheme might indicate. 8. It is hoped that in some cases the framing of a satisfactory scheme will enable the Government concerned to negotiate special freight arrangements with steamship companies. It is requested that any proposals submitted should indicate what steps it has been found possible to take in that direction, and their result. 9. Similar despatches are being sent to Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Union of South Africa, Newfoundland, and Southern Rhodesia. I have, &c. (For the Secretarv of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0.. &c.

No. 39. New Zealand, No. 179. Sir, — Downing Street, Bth September, 1927. I have the honour to state that the Italian Government have invited His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State to be represented by suitable delegates at the Fourth International Congress of Domestic Economy, to be held at Rome on the 14th November, 1927. 2. This Congress will be under the distinguished patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Italy and the Honorary Presidency of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Italy. The initiative in the matter has been taken by the Italian committee, and the Congress is under the auspices of the International Bureau at Fribourg

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for Domestic Instruction. The president of the organizing committee is His Excellency the Honourable Augusto Tarati, General Secretary of the National Fascist party. 3. The Italian Government are also anxious that the Congress may be brought to the notice of authorities and bodies in the countries mentioned which may be interested in the matter. 4. I should be glad to learn what reply His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would wish to be returned to this invitation. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 40. New Zealand, Dominions No. 501. Sir, — Downing Street, 13th September, 1927. With reference to Mr. Amery's despatch, Dominions No. 385, of the sth July, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 30th August containing an Order of the Lords of the Privy Council, dated the 27th August, confirming and approving the draft convention concerning the simplification of the inspection of emigrants on board ship which was adopted by the International Labour Conference at Geneva on the sth June, 1926. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Eergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 27th day of August, 1927. By the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. Whereas on 20th August, 1926, the Secretary-General of the League of Nations communicated to His Majesty's Government a certified copy of a draft convention concerning the simplification of the inspection of emigrants on board ship which had been adopted by the International Labour Conference at Geneva on sth June, 1926 : And whereas it is provided in Article 405 of the Treaty of Versailles that in the case of a draft convention so communicated each member of the International Labour Organization shall, if such draft convention obtains the consent of the authority or authorities within whose competence the matter lies, communicate the formal ratification thereof to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations : And whereas such draft convention has in respect of Great Britain and Northern Ireland obtained the consent of the authority or authorities within whose competence the matter lies, and such action as is necessary to make the provisions of the said draft convention conditionally effective therein has been taken : Now, therefore, the Lords of the Council are pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the said draft convention be confirmed and approved, provided, however, that such confirmation and approval shall not take effect until the date by which the Secretary-General of the League of Nations shall have received and registered the formal ratifications without reservations of the said draft convention by France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, and Spain. And it is further ordered that formal communication thereof be made to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations. M. P. A. Hankey.

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No. 41. New Zealand No. 185. Sir, — Downing Street, 14th September, 1927. I have the honour to transmit the accompanying copy of a note from the United States Embassy forwarding an invitation from the Executive Secretary of the Fourth International Congress of Entomology to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to be represented at the Congress which will be held at Ithaca, New York, in August, 1928. 2. 1 should be glad to learn what reply it is desired should be returned to the United States Embassy. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K. 0.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. Sir, — ' London, 23rd. August, 1927. With reference to my note, No. 1334, of the 25th July, 1927, transmitting to you on behalf of the management of the Congress of Entomology an invitation to His Majesty's Government to send one or more representatives to that Congress, I have the honour to enclose invitations from the Executive Secretary of that Congress for the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. While the Government of the United States will have no connection with the Congress, the Department of Agriculture takes great interest in it, and it is therefore hoped that the invited Governments will deem the Congress of such scientific and economic importance as to warrant their participation in it by expert representatives. I have, &c. (For the Ambassador), Ray Atherton, Secretary of Embassy. The Right Hon. Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., &c., Foreign Office, S.W. 1. The Fourth International Congress op Entomology. At Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Week of August 19-25, 1928. Excellency,— Ist August, 1927. On behalf of the Fourth International Congress of Entomology, I have the honour to extend, through you, to the Government of New Zealand, a cordial invitation to send one or more representatives to the Fourth International Congress of Entomology. Every important interest —educational, scientific, and economic—will be provided for in the programme. The control of pests that destroy crops and products, or that cause disease to man and beast, will be discussed by those who are familiar with the more recent and successful methods. Government entomologists, horticulturists, veterinarians, and public-health officials will be present from all over the world to exchange experiences. The Congress is to be held at Ithaca, New York, in August, 1928. The buildings and equipment of Cornell University will provide ample and convenient facilities. This place, together with the Geneva Experiment Station, is an important centre for research and teaching in the field of entomology. Work of interest will be seen in progress here and in the entomological field laboratories of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to which excursions may be made at the close of the meetings. We hope that widespread benefit will come from this great international gathering, and we are deeply desirous that your Government shall be represented in it. Very respectfully, 0. A. Johannsen, American Executive Secretary. His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand.

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DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, A-02

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DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, A-02

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, A-02