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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, A-01

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

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No. i of j Date. | Subject. Page. Series. I | 1928. I 1 Jan. 20 I Customs treatment of commercial travellers' samples .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 Feb. 3 Note from Belgian Embassy asking for information, re language employed as the medium of instruction and general organization of primary education .. .. .. .. 2 3 „ 3 Visit of Airship Mission to the Dominions .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 4 „ 14 Flight by aircraft: Prohibited areas .. .. .. .. .. '.. .. 3 5 Mar. 1 International Balneological Exhibition, Budapest . . .. .. .. .. 4 6 „ 5 " List of Agricultural Research Workers in the Empire" .. .. . . .. 4 7 j, 12 Fourth International Congress of Entomology, Ithaca .. .. .. .. .. 4 8 „ 19 Sixth International Congress for Drawing, Art Education, and Art applied to Industry, Prague 4 9 >,21 International Congress of Orientalists.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 10 „ 28 Twenty-third International Congress of Americanists, New York .. .. .. 5 11 „ 28 International Congress on Wireless Telegraphy, Rome .. .. .. .. .. 5 12 April 4 Carriage or use of photographic apparatus in aerial navigation .. .. .. .. 5 13 „ 23 Provision of mooring-mast in Dominion .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 14 „ 26 Reciprocal Orders in Council with Irish Free State .. .. . . .. .. 6 15 „ 26 Imperial Education Conference, 1927 .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 6 16 May 28 Wireless time signals from the Rugby Wireless Station .. .. .. .. . . 7 17 June 4 Instructions to Surveyors on wireless-telegraphy installations in ships' lifeboats .. . . 7 18 „ 8 Workmen's Compensation: Imperial Conference .. .. .. .. .. 7 19 „ 9 Automatic apparatus —the alarm signal .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 20 „ 9 Position in the event of war of men of the Army Reserve .. .. .. .. 9 21 July 25 Commercial relations between New Zealand and Japan .. .. .. .. ..10 22 ,, 27 Appointment of Colonel Sinclair Burgess as A.D.C. to His Majesty .. .. .. 10 23 Aug. 1 National health and pensions contributions payable in respect of crews of foreign-going ships 10 24 ,, 10 Congress of the International Institute of Refrigeration .. .. .. .. .. j 11 25 „ 22 British nationality and status of aliens .. .. .. .. .. ..11 26 Sept. 19 British nationality and status of aliens .. .. .. .. •• ..11 27 „ 26 International Telegraph Conference at Brussels .. .. .. .. .. j 12 28 Oct. 15 Form and wording of oaths of allegiance .. .. .. . . . • .. 12 29 ,, 29 International Oceanographic Conference, Seville .. .. .. .. .. i 15 30 Nov. 3 British Pharmacopoeia .. .. .. .. . • •. . • .. i 15 31 „ 28 Markings of civil aircraft .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. | 16

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No. 1

New Zealand, No. 8. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th January, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 593, of the 22nd November last, transmitting copies of resolutions issued by the Government of India with regard to the Customs treatment of commercial travellers' samples, I have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Ministers, that the procedure in New Zealand in regard to travellers' samples is set forth in clause 87 of the New Zealand Customs Regulations : see page 14 of the booklet " New Zealand Customs Regulations (revised to 30th June, 1925)," three copies of which are attached. Ministers desire me to add that when samples, specimens, or other goods (the importation of which is not prohibited) are imported to be used temporarily for commercial purposes or as travellers' samples, the duty (if any) is accepted on deposit. Upon the exportation of the goods such deposit is returned either (a) at the port of arrival, or (b) at the port of re-exportation (provided that the importer notifies at the time of importation his desire that this should be arranged, specifying the final port), if the proper officer of Customs is satisfied that the goods have been duly re-exported. Identity cards are not required for commercial travellers visiting New Zealand. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 19. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 3rd February, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 580, of the 14th November last, enclosing copy of a note from the Belgian Embassy asking to be furnished with certain information as to the language employed as the medium of instruction and the general organization of primary education in Native schools in the dominions and colonies. 2. My Ministers state, in reply, that apparently the only information desired by the Belgian Government is that referred to in the latter part of the note. The following are the answers presented seriatim to the questions asked : — (a) Native children in New Zealand —that is, Maori children —may attend the free public schools established for the education of English children, but at the same time there are provided in areas inhabited principally by the Maoris special schools attended for the most part only by Natives. These schools are manned principally by white teachers. The cost is defrayed entirely by the Government. The Native schools form an essential part of the education system of the Dominion. (b) Though the majority of Maori children receive education of only primary-school standard, many pass the highest class —that is, Standard VI —and thus qualify for free secondary or technical education. Maori children are admitted on the same footing as English children to both secondary and technical schools and also to the University. Vocational instruction is given not only in the Government technical schools but also in private institutions established and managed by Church authorities. (c) English is the only language employed in Maori schools. In Samoa and in the Cook Islands, where the education system is under the control of the New Zealand Government, the Native tongue is to some extent taught, English being reserved for the more advanced classes It has to be remembered, however, that in these islands the Natives greatly outnumber the British, whereas in New Zealand the reverse is the case.

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(d) The Maori is so much in touch with the British people throughout the Dominion that little difficulty is experienced in making English the only medium of instruction. (e) Several Maoris have reached a very high standard indeed of intellectual attainment, even when that attainment is measured by the standards that obtain in the Mother-country. (/) No Natives in this country are excluded from any educational institution whatsoever. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for) Dominion Affairs.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 22. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd February, 1928. With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the recent visit to New Zealand and Australia of the British Airship Mission, I have the honour to transmit to you, at the instance of my Prime Minister, the accompanying copy of a communication which has been addressed to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia regarding the proposed demonstration airship flight in 1930. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor- General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, Ist February, 1928. Sir, — With reference to the recent visit to New Zealand and to Australia of the British Airship Mission, I have the honour to advise you that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have been taking into consideration the possibility of making the necessary preparations for the airship flights contemplated by the Mission. In referring to the proposal to make a demonstration flight in 1930 the Mission's report contains the following paragraph : — " If the Australian Government erect mooring-tower bases in the west and east of Australia — that is to say, both at Perth and at Sydney or Melbourne —a demonstration flight to New Zealand is an easy matter ; if, however, they only erect a base in Perth special weather conditions would probably have to be waited for both at Perth for the outward journey and in New Zealand for the return journey. As the whole object of the programme is to prove the commercial value of airships, such a demonstration might be negative rather than positive in value ; it is therefore hoped that Australia will put up two mooring-towers for the demonstration period." Before arriving at a definite decision as to the steps to be taken in New Zealand I have considered it advisable to ascertain if possible what action is to be taken in this connection in the Commonwealth of Australia, and I should be greatly obliged if you could see your way to supply me with such information as may be available on the matter. I have, &c., J. G. Coates. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 24. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th February, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions Treaty No. 42, of the 9th December last, forwarding copy of a letter from the General Secretary of the International Air Navigation Commission containing a list of areas over which flight by aircraft is prohibited under Article 3 of the International Air Navigation Convention, 1919, I have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Ministers, that there are at present no prohibited areas in the Dominion of New Zealand. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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i\ T o. 5. New Zealand, No. 35. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, Ist March, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 541, of the 14th October last, on the subject of the International Balneological Exhibition to be held at Budapest in 1929, I have the honour to inform you, on the advice of my Ministers, that it has been decided that Dr. J. D. C. Duncan, Government Balneologist, will represent His Majesty's Government in New Zealand at the Exhibition. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 38. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, sth March, 1928. With reference to your Despatch, Dominions No. 656, of the 31st December, 1927, I have the honour, at the instance of my Ministers, to express the appreciation of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand of the valuable publication " List of Agricultural Research Workers in the Empire " which was forwarded with your despatch. 2. Ministers would be grateful if twenty revised copies could be made available for use in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. This Department will arrange to send to His Majesty's Government in Great Britain every six months a list of the necessary corrections and additions to the list. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 42. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th March, 1928. With further reference to your despatch, No. 185, of the 14th September last, relative to the Fourth International Congress of Entomology, to be held at Ithaca, New York, in August next, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand regret that it has not been found practicable to arrange for this Dominion to be officially represented at the Congress. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 8. New Zealand, No. 50. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th March, 1928. With, reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 27, of the 17th January, relative to the Sixth International Congress for Drawing, Art Education, and Art applied to Industry, to be held at Prague from 30th July to sth August next, 1 have the honour to inform you that it is regretted that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are unable to send a representative to the Congress. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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No. 9. New Zealand, No. 55. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st March, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 11, of the 10th January, on the subject of the International Congress of Orientalists, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand regret their inability to be represented at this Congress. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 10. New Zealand, No. 63. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 28th March, 1928. With reference to your despatch, No. 6, of the 13th January, forwarding an invitation from the United States Charge d'Affaires to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to participate in the twenty-third International Congress of Americanists to be held at New York in September next, I have the honour to inform you that it is regretted that Ministers are unable to be represented at the Congress. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of|State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 11. New Zealand, No. 66. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 28th March, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 30, of the 18th January, relative to the International Congress on Wireless Telegraphy, to be held at Rome in October next, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, while appreciating the invitation extended to them by the Italian Ambassador, regret that they are unable to be represented at the Congress. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 12. New Zealand, No. 70. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th April, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions Treaty No. 2, of the 3rd January, enclosing copy of a letter from the General Secretary of the International Commission for Air Navigation with regard to the carriage or use of photographic apparatus in aerial navigation, 1 have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Ministers, that under the existing regulations in New Zealand the carriage of photographic apparatus in aircraft is not prohibited. r haVP &c CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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No. 13. New Zealand, No. 77. Sir,- Government House, Wellington, 23rd April, 1928. With reference to the report of the British Airship Mission recently in New Zealand, and to the proposal that steps should be taken to provide a mooringmast in this Dominion, 1 have the honour to inform you, on the advice of my Prime Minister, that in view of the decision of the Commonwealth Government to erect in the meantime only one mooring-mast (at Perth), the Government of New Zealand have come to the conclusion that it would be premature to take any steps in the direction of installing a mast in the Dominion until the home trials of the airships have been satisfactorily carried out. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 14. New Zealand, No. 82. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th April, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 14, of the 25th January, enclosing copy of a despatch from the Minister for External Affairs of the Irish Free State relative to the application to New Zealand of section 152 of the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Act, 1927. 2. My Prime Minister advises me, in reply, that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand will be pleased to arrange for a reciprocal Order in Council to be made applying section 144 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act, 1921-22 (New Zealand) to the Irish Free State. 3. The necessary draft Order in Council, similar to that made in reference to the Dominion of Canada (see New Zealand Gazette dated 12th June, 1924) will be prepared, and it is suggested that telegraphic advice may be sent to me as to the date on which it is proposed the reciprocal Orders should take effect. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 15. New Zealand. No. 83. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th April, 1928. I Lave the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 78, of the 15th February, enclosing copies of the Report of Proceedings of the Imperial Education Conference, 1927. 2. Ministers have asked me to convey to you an expression of their thanks for this interesting report, which is now under the consideration of the Minister of Education. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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No. 16. New Zealand, No. 117. SiR, — Government House, Wellington, 28th May, 1928. With reference to your despatch, No. 51, of the 16th March, on the subject of the transmission of wireless time signals from the Rugby Wireless Station, I have the honour to inform you, on the advice of my Prime Minister, that the reasons given in paragraph 3 of your despatch against any alteration in the arrangement at the present time are appreciated. It is noted, however, that at the end of two years operations it is intended to review the programme and procedure in transmission of wireless time signals, and when that time arrives His Majesty s Government in New Zealand would be glad if the resolution of the International Time Commission carried at the 1925 meeting of the Astronomical Union —i.e., that wireless time signals should take place twice daily, preferably at intervals of twelve hours —be taken into consideration. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 120. Government House, Wellington, 4th June, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 152, of the 24th March, and to inform you that I have communicated to my Ministers its contents, together with copies of the Board of Trade Circular enclosed therein regarding instructions to Surveyors on the subject of wireless telegraphy installations in ships' lifeboats. 2. In acknowledging the despatch Ministers state that the necessary action will be taken to bring the Dominion regulations into line with the Imperial regulations. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 18. New Zealand, No. 124. ® IE > Government House, Wellington, Bth June, 1928. I have the honour to inform you that I duly referred for the consideration of my Ministers your despatch, Dominions No. 19, of the 13th Januarv, together with copies of the report, enclosed therein, of the Workmen's Compensation Sub Committee of the Imperial Conference of 1926. 2. Ihe views of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand on Resolution II of the report referred to are as follows :— Legislation will be necessary before the New Zealand Government can enter into an arrangement with His Majesty's Government in Great Britain for the transfer of workmen's compensation moneys on the lines indicated in the Resolution. I he question of introducing this legislation is receiving attention. It might be added that no difficulty is experienced in this country in cases where compensation is awarded in New Zealand to dependants living in Great Britain. In regard to the

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converse cases, the following remarks are made respecting the procedure referred to in paragraph 5 of your despatch under reply : — (i) The administration of compensation moneys transferred to this country would ultimately be carried out by the Public Trustee, but as the Court of Arbitration in New Zealand has jurisdiction over workers' compensation moneys it would be preferable that the Court awarding the compensation moneys should forward them to the Court of Arbitration in New Zealand, to be disposed of by the latter Court in the same manner as other compensation moneys within its jurisdiction. The Court could then direct that they be paid to the Public Trustee, and the moneys could then be dealt with in the same way as if the award had been originally made in New Zealand. (ii) and (iii) In the case of moneys to be transmitted to this country, it is suggested that they be paid to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London for transmission to the proper quarter here. (iv) There is no objection to this proposal. The Judge of the New Zealand Court of Arbitration suggests, however, that the directions of the transmitting Court should be general in their nature, so as to leave a discretion to the receiving Court to make such further orders in matters of detail as might appear from time to time to be necessary. This would obviate the expense and delay of additional applications to the transmitting Court. It is suggested that the most convenient form of order to be made by the transmitting Court would provide very generally (if at all) for a scheme of apportionment and provide that all other matters should be subject to the directions of the receiving Court in accordance with its general practice. 3. The Judge of the Court of Arbitration also suggests that the main object outlined in paragraph 4 of your despatch might be amplified by providing also for the administration of a lump sum awarded to a worker injured in England who has become resident in New Zealand but who is considered incapable himself of handling such a sum wisely. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

Enclosure. Government House Despatch No. 273/28—Workmen's Compensation—lmperial Conference. Report of the Workmen's Compensation Sub-Committee of the Imperial Conference, 1926, with which were enclosed Copies of the Workmen's Compensation (Transfer of Funds) Act, 1927 (17 & 18 Geo. V., Ch. 15). Resolution 1 deals with the question of equality of treatment for national and foreign workers as regards workmen's compensation for accidents. (No reply required.) Resolution 2 recommends that arrangements be made between the different parts of the Empire whereby sums awarded under the law relating to workmen's compensation in one part of the Empire to beneficiaries resident or becoming resident in another part of the Empire might, at the request of the authority by which the award is made, be transferred to and administered by a competent authority in that part of the Empire in which such beneficiaries reside, and inviting the several Governments of the Empire to take such steps by way of legislation or otherwise as each may consider necessary and appropriate for the purpose of promoting such arrangements. It is understood that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain has passed legislation giving effect to the resolution and desires to be informed whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand is disposed to enter into, and would be in a position to give effect to (whether by Rules of Court or otherwise) an arrangement with Great Britain on the lines recommended. Legislation will be necessary before His Majesty's Government in New Zealand can enter into an arrangement with His Majesty's Government in Great Britain for the transfer of workmen's compensation moneys on the lines indicated in the resolution. The question of introducing this legislation is receiving attention. It might be added that no difficulty is experienced in this country in cases

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where compensation is awarded in New Zealand to dependants living in Great Britain. In regard to the converse oases, the following remarks are made respecting the procedure referred to in paragraph 5 of the communication from the Secretary of State :— (i) The administration of compensation moneys transferred to this country would ultimately be carried out by the Public Trustee, but as the Court of Arbitration in this country has jurisdiction over workers' compensation moneys it would be preferable that the Court awarding the compensation moneys should forward them to the Court of Arbitration in New Zealand to be disposed of by the latter Court in the same manner as other compensation moneys within its jurisdiction. The Court could then direct that they be paid to the Public Trustee, and the moneys could then be dealt with in the same way as if the award had been originally made in New Zealand. (ii) and (iii) In the case of moneys to be transmitted to this country it is suggested that they be paid to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London for transmission to the proper quarter here. (iv) There is no objection to this proposal. The Judge of the New Zealand Court of Arbitration suggests, however, that the directions of the transmitting Court should be general in their nature, so as to leave a discretion to the receiving Court to make such further orders in matters of detail as might appear from time to time to be necessary. This would obviate the expense and delay of additional applications to the transmitting Court. It is suggested that the most convenient form of order to be made by the transmitting Court would provide very generally (if at all) for a scheme of apportionment, and provide that all other matters should be subject to the directions of the receiving Court in accordance with its general practice. The Judge of the Court of Arbitration also suggests that the main object outlined in paragraph 4 of the communication from the Secretary of State might be amplified by providing also for the administration of a lump sum awarded to a worker injured in England who lias become resident in New Zealand but who is considered incapable himself of handling such a sum wisely.

No. 19. New Zealand, No. 127. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th June, 1928. I have the honour to inform you that I duly referred to my Government your depatch of the 21st October last, Dominions No. 550, together with its enclosures, on the subject of the fitting on board ships registered in the United Kingdom of an approved automatic apparatus which will respond to a special signal called the alarm signal. 2. In acknowledging the despatch the Prime Minister has recommended me to inform you, with reference to the request contained in its concluding paragraph, that the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department will undertake the inspection desired, and that the necessary arrangements are being made accordingly. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 128. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th June, 1928. I have the honour to refer to your despatch, No. 69, of the 16th April, regarding the position in the event of war of men of the Army Reserve who are resident in the Dominions, and to state that my Ministers have arranged for Officers in Charge of Records to be informed of the wishes of the Army Council as indicated in the third paragraph of your despatch. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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No. 21. New Zealand, No. 175. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 25th July, 1928. With reference to my despatch, No. 16, of the 28th January last, and to my telegram, No. 71, of the 24th July, relative to the commercial relations between New Zealand and Japan, I have the honour to transmit to you, at the instance of my Ministers, the accompanying certified copies of the notes* as exchanged on the 24th July between His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Consul-General, Sydney, who is visiting the Dominion, and His Majesty's Government in New Zealand. 2. If there is no objection, it is desired that this and any other similar arrangement made by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand with foreign Governments should be registered by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain with the League of Nations in accordance with Article 18 of the Covenant of the League. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P. Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. * Not printed.

No. 22. New Zealand, No. 178. Sir, —• Government House, Wellington, 27th July, 1928. With reference to Lord Milner's despatch, No. 267, of the 10th December, 1920, intimating that it was His Majesty's pleasure that an appointment as additional Aide-de-Camp to the King be allotted to the New Zealand Military Forces, and that the officers appointed thereto from time to time should vacate the appointment on retirement or on promotion to the rank of Major-General, I have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Prime Minister, that Lieut.-Colonel C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., to whose appointment in the capacity named His Majesty graciously signified his assent in the year 1921 (vide Mr. Churchill's despatch, No. 212, of the Ist November, 1921), has been placed on the Reserve of Officers, having reached the age of retirement from the Active List. 2. Ministers accordingly respectfully recommend that Colonel Powles should now vacate the appointment of Aide-de-Camp to the King, and that the name of Lieut.-Colonel (temporary Brigadier) W. L. H. Sinclair-Burgess, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., New Zealand Staff Corps, Chief of the General Staff, may be submitted to His Majesty for the honour, in place of Colonel Powles. 3. Brigadier Sinclair-Burgess had a distinguished record in the late war, rising from the command of a Field Artillery battery to C.R.A., 4th Australian Division. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 23. New Zealand, No. 182. Sir,- - Government House, Wellington, Ist August, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 293, of the 30th May, relative to the new arrangements for the collection of the national health and pensions contributions payable in respect of the crews of foreign-going ships to which the National Health and Pensions Insurance Acts apply.

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2. In regard to the last paragraph of the despatch, my Ministers state that they will be pleased to co-operate, through the Marine Department, with His Majesty's Government in Great Britain in administering the work under the proposed new system. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 197. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 10th August, 1928. With reference to your despatch, No. 119, of the 15th June, on the subject of the Congress of the International Institute of Refrigeration, I have the honour to inform you that my Prime Minister has asked that an expression of the thanks of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand may be conveyed to Mr. H. C. A. Carpenter for his representation of the Dominion at the Congress, and for the set of papers in connection with the Congress collected by him. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 25. New Zealand, No. 213. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd August, 1928. With reference to my despatch, No. 180, of the 28th July, forwarding copies of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Bill, to my despatch, No. 346, of the 19th December last, and to previous correspondence on the subject of British nationality and status of aliens, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the New Zealand Parliamentary Debates, Nos. 10 and 11, containing, on pages 935 to 946 and 1009 to 1017, respectively, the report of an interesting discussion on the Bill in the Legislative Council on Ist August and 2nd August arising out of the motion moved by the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bell that the Bill be read a second time. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 26. New Zealand, No. 244. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 19th September, 1928. With, reference to my despatch, No. 213, of the 22nd August, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the New Zealand Parliamentary Debates, No. 18, containing, on pages 564-589, a debate in the House of Representatives on the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Bill. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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No. 27. New Zealand, No. 250. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th September, 1928. I have the honour to transmit to you, at the instance of my Prime Minister, the accompanying Warrant authorizing and appointing Mr. F. Strong to be the delegate of the Dominion of New Zealand at the International Telegraph Conference at Brussels, and giving him full powers to discuss, settle, and sign on behalf of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, subject to the instructions given to him, and subject to confirmation and approval by the Governor-General of this Dominion, any agreement or convention to be drawn up by the said Conference. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 28. New Zealand, No. 267. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th October, 1928. With reference to your despatch of the 31st March last, Dominions No. 164, relative to an inquiry from the United States Government as to the form and wording of oaths of allegiance administered in His Majesty's Dominions, and as to the class or classes of persons of whom such an oath is required, I have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Ministers, that the position in regard to the taking of oaths of allegiance, so far as New Zealand is concerned, is as follows : — (1) The Governor-General. —In Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, dated the 11th May, 1917, constituting the office of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand, the third clause directs and enjoins as follows : — " Every person appointed to fill the office of Governor-General shall, with all due solemnity, before entering on any of the duties of his office, cause the Commission appointing him to be Governor-General to be read and published at the seat of Government, in the presence of the Chief Justice, or some other Judge of the Supreme Court of the Dominion, and of the Members of the Executive Council thereof; which being done, he shall then and there take before them the Oath of Allegiance, in the form provided by an Act passed in the session holden in the thirty-first and thirtysecond years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria intituled, "An Act to amend the Law relating to Promissory Oaths ; and likewise the usual oath for the due execution of the office of Governor-General and for the due and impartial administration of justice ; which oaths the said Chief Justice or Judge is hereby required to administer." The Oath of Allegiance prescribed is as follows :— " I, , do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God." (2) Members of the Legislature.—lt is provided in section 46 of the Constitution Act (15 and 16 Vict., c. 72) that no member of the Legislative Council or House of Representatives shall be permitted to sit or vote therein until he shall have taken and subscribed the following oath : — "I, ——, do sincerely promise and swear that 1 will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth. So help me God." Every person authorized by law to make his solemn affirmation or declaration instead of taking an oath, may make such affirmation or declaration in lieu of the said oath as follows : — "I, , do truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth."

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(3) Executive Councillors. —In addition to the Executive Councillors' oath, every person appointed to the Executive Council of New Zealand, as soon as may be after his acceptance of office, shall, in accordance with section 6 of the Promissory Oaths Act, 1908, take the prescribed Oath of Allegiance as follows : — " I, , do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God." (4) The Chief Justice, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Judge of the Court of Arbitration, Justices of the Peace, Coroners, Sheriffs, and Stipendiary Magistrates. — It is provided by section 7 of the Promissory Oaths Act, 1908, that each of these officers shall, as soon as may be after acceptance of office, take the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath. The Oath of Allegiance is in the form following " I, , do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God." (5) Members of the Naval Forces. —Every person enlisting in the Naval Forces of the Dominion is required, in accordance with section 11 of the Naval Defence Act, 1913, to take either the following oath or affirmation. The oath is as follows :— "I, , sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully serve in the New Zealand Naval Forces, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, his heirs and successors, and of the officers set over me, until I shall be lawfully discharged. So help me God." The affirmation is prescribed in the- following terms :— " I, , solemnly and sincerely promise and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully serve in the New Zealand Naval Forces, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, his heirs and successors, and the officers set over me, until I shall be lawfully discharged.' (6) Members of the Senior Cadets and Defence Forces. —Section 11, Defence Act, 1909, as amended bv section 34, Defence Amendment Act, 1912, reads as follows "11. (1) E very person on becoming a member of the Senior Cadets, or the Defence Forces, or as soon thereafter as may be, shall take the Oath of Allegiance before a Justice of the Peace or a prescribed officer in the form set out in the Schedule hereto or to the like effect. " (2) No person who has, whether before or after the passing of this Act, taken an Oath of Allegiance in respect of his service as a Senior Cadet shall be required again to take any such oath on becoming a member of the Defence Forces." The Oath of Allegiance is prescribed (by schedule) at the end of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, and reads as follows : — "I, -, do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully serve in the New Zealand Military Forces, according to my liability under the Defence Act, and that I will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, his heirs and successors, and of the generals and officers set over me, until I shall be lawfully discharged. So help me God." Section 50, Defence Act, 1909, provides " 50. Every person who, being required by this Act to take the Oath of Allegiance, refuses so to do is liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds." It is provided by paragraphs 486 and 487 of the Regulations for the New Zealand Military Forces that all officers of the Permanent Forces and the Territorial Force shall be attesting officers for the purpose of administering the oath of allegiance. It is also provided by the Regulations for the New Zealand Military Forces that an affirmation may be made in lieu of taking the oath. This is in pursuance of section 50 of the Evidence Act, 1908.

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No prosecution is instituted against any person for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance unless he also refuses to make a solemn affirmation in lieu thereof in the manner prescribed by section 50 of the Evidence Act, 1908. Tt is the policy of the Department, however, not to prosecute for this offence if the trainees concerned have conscientious objections to any form of oath, but are nevertheless complying in other respects with their military obligations. (7) Member of the Police Force. —The oath of office taken by members of the Police Force is set forth in section 11 of the Police Force Act, 1913, which reads : — " No person shall be capable of holding office as a member of the Force, or of acting in any way therein, until he has taken and subscribed the following oath before a Justice or such other person as the Governor may appoint to administer the same : — " I, , do swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Police Force, without favour or affection, malice or illwill, until I am legally discharged ; that I will see and cause His Majesty's peace to be kept and preserved ; that I will prevent to the best of my power all offences against the same ; and that while 1 continue to hold the said office I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all the duties thereof according to law. So help me God." (8) Aliens ivho are naturalized British subjects in New Zealand. —Section 5, subsections (3) and (4), of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1923, reads as follows : — " (3) A certificate of naturalization shall not be issued to the applicant or have any effect until the Minister is satisfied that the Oath of Allegiance in the form set forth in the Second Schedule to this Act has been taken by the applicant before a Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace. " (4) Every Magistrate and every Justice of the Peace is hereby authorized to administer the said Oath of Allegiance to a person in whose favour the Minister has approved the grant of a certificate of naturalization." The Oath of Allegiance referred to in the Second Schedule to the Act is as under : — " I, , swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King George the Fifth, his heirs and successors, according to law." (9) Persons arriving in New Zealand. —Under section 16 of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act, 1920, every person (not being a subject of His Majesty) of the age of fifteen years or more, except certain classes of persons as set out hereunder, proposing to enter New Zealand as a permanent resident or as a visitor, is on arrival and before landing in New Zealand required to take an oath in the following form : — "I. , being a subject of do swear that I will faithfully observe and obey the laws of New Zealand so long as I shall be resident in New Zealand, and that I will not in any manner aid or abet any breach of any such laws, and that I will not be concerned in any manner directly or indirectly in any act which would be disloyal to His Majesty King George the Fifth if committed by a subject of his said Majesty. So help me God." The following are the exceptions referred to above : — (1) His Majesty's land and sea forces : (2) The officers and crew of any ship-of-war of any Government : (3) Any person being one of the officers or crew of any mercantile vessel, provided that he is not discharged in New Zealand, and also that he is on board the vessel when she is cleared outwards and leaves New Zealand with her : (4) Any person duly accredited to the Government of New Zealand by or under the authority of the Imperial or any other Government. (10) Public Servants. —In Letters Patent passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, dated 11th May, 1917, constituting the office of GovernorGeneral and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand, it is directed

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and enjoined in the third clause of the Instructions under the Royal Sign-manual and Signet to the Governor-General thereunder contained as follows : — " The Governor-General may, whenever he thinks fit, require any person in the Public Service to take the Oath of Allegiance, together with such other oath or oaths as may from time to time be prescribed by any law in force in the Dominion. The Governor-General is to administer such oaths or cause them to be administered by some public officer of the Dominion." (11) Solicitors of the Supreme Court. —Section 18 of the Law Practitioners Act, 1908, is as follows " Every person before he is admitted and enrolled as a solicitor shall take the oath of allegiance, and the oath following : — "I, — -, do swear that I will truly and honestly demean myself in the practice of a solicitor according to the best of my knowledge and ability." (12) Teachers. —Section 11, subsection (1), of the Education Amendment Act, 1921, reads:— " On and after the first day of April, nineteen hundred and twentytwo, no person shall be employed or shall continue to be employed, or shall act as a teacher in any public school, secondary school, technical school, endowed school, Native school, or private school unless, in the case of a British subject, he has since the passing of this Act made and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance, and, in any other case, he has since the passing of this Act made and subscribed in the prescribed form an oath that he will not, directly or indirectly, use words or be concerned in any act which would be disloyal to His Majesty if such words were spoken or written or such act was committed by a subject of His Majesty." Two copies of the Promissory Oaths Act, 1908, are enclosed. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 29. New Zealand, No. 279. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 29th October, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 345, of the 14th July, regarding the International Oceanographic Conference to be held at Seville in May, 1929, I have the honour to inform you that, so far as this Dominion is concerned, my Ministers state that there does not appear to be any necessity for special representation, but it would be appreciated if His Majesty's Government in Great Britain would be good enough to forward to New Zealand, after the Conference is held, a copy of any publication issued dealing with the proceedings. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 289. Sir, —- Government House, Wellington, 3rd November, 1928. I have tlie honour to refer to your despatch, Dominions No. 423, of the 27th August, intimating that the Report of the Committee of Civil Research Sub-Committee on the British Pharmacopoeia has now been accepted by the General Medical Council, and extending an invitation to Dominion Governments

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to set up or to arrange for the setting up of Committees of Pharmacopoeia Revision, as suggested in paragraph 149 of the Sub-Committee's Report. 2. In asking that an expression of their thanks may be conveyed to you for the invitation, my Ministers state that steps will be taken to inquire from the various interested organizations in New Zealand as to the possibility of setting up such a committee. 3. Ministers would appreciate information as to when it is anticipated the next revision of the Pharmacopoeia will be undertaken. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 311. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 28th November, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 378, of the Ist August, relative to the decision of the International Commission for Air Navigation to adopt a revised table of markings for civil aircraft, I have the honour to inform you that arrangements have been made by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand to replace all present markings on existing aircraft with the new markings as from the Ist January, 1929, and that future registrations will be allotted markings in accordance with the decision of the International Commission. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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