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, 1929 Session I, A-02

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1929. 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 Ilis Excellency.

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1929. NEW ZEALAND. D E S P A T C H E S 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. No. of Date. Subject. Page. Series. 1927. 1 Dec. 29 Bacteriological analysis of water and dairy-products .. .. .. .. .. 2 1928. 2 Jan. 3 The Egypt (Amendment) Order in Council, 1927 .. .. .. .. .. 2 3 ,, 11 Agreement with Germany for the abolition of visas .. .. .. .. .. 4 4 „ 13 Workmen's Compensation : Imperial Conference .. .. .. .. .. 4 5 „ 26 Imperial Bureau of Mycology .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 6 ,, 30 Boundary between the Straits Settlements and Johore .. .. .. .. .. 6 7 Feb. 24 Visit of Airship Mission to the Dominions .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 8 Mar. 14 Nationality rule for entry into the commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines 8 9 „ 16 Wireless broadcasting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 10 „ 21 Special Claims Convention with Mexico .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 11 „ 27 Anglo-Spanish Commercial Treaty .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 12 April 11 Imperial defence .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 13 ,, 16 Position in the event of war of men of the Army Reserve .. .. .. 10 14 May 12 Visit of Dr. A. W. Hill to New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. ..11 15 ,, 23 Naval prize .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 16 ,, 30 National health and pensions contributions payable in respect of crews of foreign-going ships 12 17 „ 31 Conference of official meteorologists of the Empire .. .. .. .. 13 18 June 6 Commercial treaties with South American States .. .. .. .. 14 19 July 27 Subsidies to civil air transport services .. .. .. .. .. 15 20 Aug. 1 Marking of civil aircraft .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 21 ,, 7 Notification of outbreaks of diseases .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 22 ,, 7 Mr. R. W. Carter: Loan of services to Falkland Islands Government .. .. 17 23 „ 17 Imperial Mycological Conference .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 24 „ 27 British Pharmacopoeia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 25 „ 28 World's Poultry Congress .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 26 Sept. 10 Solicitors Act .. .. .. .. .. • .. .. .. .. 19 27 ,, 11 Commander-in-Chief, China Station .. .. .. .. .. .. ..20 28 ,, 12 Customs duties on cinematograph-films .. .. .. .. .. 20 29 „ 14 Easter Act .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 30 „ 18 Acquisition of land on Ocean Island .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 31 ,, 22 Universal Postal Union Congress, London, 1929 .. .. .. .. 22 32 Oct. 3 Marriage certificates of British subjects in Switzerland .. .. .. • • . • • 22 33 | „ 12 Appointment of Colonel Sinclair-Burgess as A.D.C. to His Majesty .. .. 23 34 j Nov. 5 Flying of the Blue Ensign .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 35 I „ 7 New Zealand - Japan commercial relations .. .. .. .. .. 24 36 I „ 13 Renewal of pilots' licenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 37 „ 19 Dictionaries of occupation and industries for census and statistical purposes .. 25 38 j „ 26 Exemption from estate duty of objects purchased for Dominion Museum .. .. 25 39 | ,, 26 Rear-wheel suspension device for six-wheeled vehicles .. .. .. .. 26 1—A. 2.

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No. 1. New Zealand, No. 253. Sir, — Downing Street, 29th December, 1927. I have the honour to transmit, to be laid before His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State requesting information as to the methods employed in New Zealand in the bacteriological analysis of water and dairyproducts. 2. I shall be glad to know what reply should be returned to this request. 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.

Enclosure. Despatch No. 333. Department of External Affairs, Irish Free State, 20th December, 1927. Sir, — I have the honour to state that, in connection with their investigations under the Dairy Produce Act, 1924, the Department of Lands and Agriculture are desirous of obtaining the fullest possible information regarding the methods employed in the laboratories of the principal dairying countries in the bacteriological analysis of water, and the various dairy-products such as milk, cream, butter, &c. These particulars are required under the following heads : — (1) Detailed composition of medium : (2) Methods of preparation and storage : (3) Reaction of the medium —that is, pil value and acidity : (4) Temperature of incubation, with maximum positive and negative variation : (5) Time of incubation, in hours: (6) Method of counting : (7) Any other particulars considered of value in this connection. I shall be glad if you will be good enough to ascertain if the necessary particulars in respect of New Zealand can be supplied by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand. I have, &c., P. McGilligan, Minister for External Affairs. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, Downing Street, London S.W. 1.

No. 2. New Zealand, Dominions No. 5. Sir,- Downing Street, 3rd January, 1928. With reference to the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, Dominions No. 15, of the 9th January, 1923, 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 23rd December containing the Egypt (Amendment) Order in Council, 1927, dated the 3rd November, 1927. 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.

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Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 3rd day of November, 1927. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty. Secretary Sir W. Joynson-Hicks ; Sir Frederick Ponsonby ; Sir John Eldon Bankes ; Mr. Ronald McNeill; Lord Justice Greer. Whereas by treaty, capitulation, grant, usage, sufferance, or other lawful means, His Majesty the King has jurisdiction in Egypt: And whereas provision is now made by the Ottoman Order in Council, 1910 (S.R. & 0. 1910, No. 1184), (in this Order referred to as " the Principal Order "), and the Egypt Order in Council, 1915 (S.R. & 0. 1915, No. 141), (in this Order referred to as " the Egypt Order "), and certain Orders amending the same for the exercise of such jurisdiction : Now, therefore, His Majesty, by virtue and in exercise of the powers in this behalf by the Foreign Jurisdiction Acts, 1890 and 1913 (53 & 54 V, c. 37, and 3 & 4 Geo. V, c. 16), or otherwise in His Majesty vested, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows :— 1. This Order may be cited as " The Egypt (Amendment) Order in Council, 1927," and shall be read as one with the Principal Order and with the Egypt Order and with any Order amending the latter. 2. The following provision is hereby substituted for the second paragraph of Article 22 of the Principal Order : — " As regards, however, all such matters and cases as come within the jurisdiction of the Egyptian Mixed Courts the operation of this Order is hereby suspended until His Majesty by and with the advice of His Privy Council shall otherwise order : Provided nevertheless that where (i) a British subject is charged with any act or conduct which in accordance with the law applicable under this Order constitutes an offence punishable with six months' imprisonment or any severer penalty, and (ii) such act or conduct is punishable by the said Mixed Courts with a penalty not exceeding seven days' imprisonment or a fine of one Egyptian pound, or both, and (iii) no pirior charge has been laid before the said Mixed Courts in respect of such act or conduct —the Court shall have jurisdiction to try the case in accordance with the provisions of this Order." 3. Article 2 of the Egypt (Amendment) Order in Council, 1922, is hereby repealed, and the following provision is substituted in Egypt for Article 81 (I) of the Principal Order : — " Where it is proved that there is reasonable ground to apprehend that (a) a British subject is about to commit a breach of the public peace, or that the acts or conduct of a British subject are or is likely to produce or excite to a breach of the public peace, or (6) a British subject has acted or is about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety, or to the defence, peace, or security of His Majesty's dominions, or of any part of them, or of the dominions of His Majesty the King of Egypt, or (c) a British subject has been guilty of conduct which would in the United Kingdom constitute an offence under the Vagrancy Acts, or under the Criminal Law Amendment Acts, 1885 and 1912 (48 & 49 V, c. 69, and 2 & 3 Geo. V, c. 20), the Court may, if it thinks fit, cause him to be brought before it, and require him to give security, to the satisfaction of the Court, to keep the peace, or for his future good behaviour, as the case may require." 4. Article 71 of the Principal Order is hereby repealed. 5. (1) This Order shall take effect as soon as it is first exhibited in the public office of the Supreme Court for Egypt. (2) For that purpose the Judge of the Supreme Court shall, on the receipt by him of a certified printed copy of the Order, cause the same to be affixed and exhibited conspicuously in that office. He shall also keep the same so affixed and exhibited during one month from the first exhibition. • (3) A certified copy of this Order shall also be affixed and exhibited in the public offices of the Consular Courts at Cairo and Port Said at the same time as it is first exhibited at Alexandria, or as soon thereafter as circumstances admit. (4) Proof shall not in any proceeding or matter be required that the provisions of this article have been complied with, nor shall any act or proceeding be invalidated by any failure to comply with any such provisions. And the Right Honourable Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein. M. P. A. Hankey. [In accordance with clause 5 this Order was exhibited on the 19th December, 1927, and thereby came into force on that date.]

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No. 3. New Zealand, Dominions No. 17. Sir,— Downing Street, 11th January, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 632, of the 16tli December, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that particulars regarding the arrangements with Germany for the reciprocal abolition of visas, which were set out in the Notes exchanged with the German Ambassador on the 3rd December, have now been communicated to His Majesty's Consular and Passport Control Officers abroad. 2. In connection with paragraph 1 (7) of the Notes, these officers have been informed that the procedure for obtaining a Ministry of Labour permit to take up employment in the United Kingdom is for the proposed employer in the United Kingdom to make application to the Ministry of Labour for a permit to enable him to import the particular alien for employment; that the permit is issued to the employer and not to the alien employee, but that the permit should be in the possession of the alien employee on his arrival at the port in the United Kingdom. 3. His Majesty's Consular and Passport Control Officers have further been informed that the fees for British visas granted to German nationals, in cases where such visas are still required, will now be reduced to the equivalent in the local currency of 10 gold francs and 1 gold franc for ordinary and transit visas respectively, both ordinarily valid for one year. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOYAT. 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. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 19. Sir, — Downing Street, 13tli January, 1928. I have the honour to invite reference to the recommendations of the Imperial Conference, 1926, on the subject of workmen's compensation. Copies of the Report of the Workmen's Compensation Sub-Committee of the Conference are enclosed for convenience of reference. 2. As regards Resolution I set out in paragraph 24 of that report, the draft Convention adopted by the International Labour Conference, 1925, on the subject of equality of treatment for national and foreign workers as regards workmen's compensation for accidents has been confirmed and approved on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see my despatch, Dominions No. 454, of the 6th October, 1926). 3. As regards Resolution 11, copies are enclosed of the Workmen's Compensation (Transfer of Funds) Act (17 and 18 Geo. V, c. 15) which has been passed in order to enable effect to be given in this country to the recommendations contained in the resolution regarding the transfer of funds. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain would accordingly be glad to learn whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are 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 in Resolution 11. It is contemplated that any such arrangement on the part of Great Britain would include Northern Ireland. 4. The main object of such an arrangement would be to provide for the transfer, in cases of death, of lump sums awarded as compensation to the dependants of the deceased workmen in cases where the administration of such sums by some controlling authority might be desirable in the interests of the beneficiaries.

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5. In the event of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand being prepared to enter into sucli an arrangement with this country, it would assist towards formulating the procedure for giving effect to the arrangement if they would indicate — (i) To what Department of State or other authority in New Zealand any sums to be transmitted from this country should be sent, and to whom the cheques should be made payable ; (ii) Whether there is any objection to that Department or authority receiving cheques and awards sent to it by the transmitting Court in this country direct; (iii) Whether cheques and awards to be transmitted to this country would be sent here direct by the transmitting Court, or through a Department of State or other authority in New Zealand ; and (iv) Whether there is any objection to the transmitting Court being empowered to order sums to be administered by the receiving Court for the benefit of the persons named in the award and " in accordance with the directions (if any) " of the transmitting Court. 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.

Enclosure. Workmen's Compensation (Transfer of Funds) Act, 1927. Chapter 15. An Act to make such Amendments of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, as are necessary to give effect to a certain Resolution adopted by an Imperial Conference held in London in the Year Nineteen hundred and twenty-six. \29th July, 1927.] Whereas at an Imperial Conference held in London in the year nineteen hundred and twenty-six a resolution was adopted recommending that arrangements should 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 may, 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 : Be it therefore 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 : — Amendment of 15 & 16 Geo. V, c. 84, as to powers of making rules of Court. 1. For the purpose of giving effect to the said resolution, the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925, shall be amended as follows : — Rules of Court under the said Act may provide, in the event of any such arrangement as is mentioned in the said resolution being made between Great Britain and any other part of His Majesty's dominions — (a) For the transfer, in such manner as may be provided by the arrangement, to the part of His Majesty's dominions with which the arrangement is made of any money paid into Court under the said Act and rules made thereunder, as applicable for the benefit of any person resident in or about to reside in the part of His Majesty's dominions with which the arrangement has been made : (b) For the receipt and administration by a County Court of any money which under any such arrangement has been transmitted from the part of His Majesty's dominions with which the arrangement has been made as money applicable for the benefit of any person resident or about to reside in Great Britain. Short Title and construction. 2. (1) This Act may be cited as the Workmen's Compensation (Transfer of Funds) Act, 1927, and shall be construed as one with the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925. (2) For the purposes of this Act, " His Majesty's dominions" includes territories under His Majesty's protection, and such, if any, of the territories in respect of which a mandate on behalf of the League of Nations has been accepted by His Majesty as His Majesty may by Order in Council direct shall be treated as if they were included in His Majesty's dominions for the purposes of this Act.

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No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 44. Sir, — . Downing Street, 26th January, 1928. 1 have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Managing Committee of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology have for some time had under consideration the question of the adequacy of accommodation in the present building occupied by the Bureau, especially in view of the increasing scope of the Bureau's activities, and the necessity for ensuring its continued efficient working. 2. The building at Kew in which the Bureau is at present housed was taken, over in 1920 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and consists of two adapted dwellinghouses. It has become increasingly apparent that this building is unsuitable for scientific work and quite inadequate for the Bureau's needs. Two defects in particular are the absence of accommodation for overseas mycologists who may wish to work at the Bureau, and the lack of space in which the Bureau's valuable collection of specimens of plant-diseases may be housed. The delegates at the Imperial Mycological Conference in 1924 commented strongly on the inadequate nature of this building, and placed on record their view that more commodious accommodation was an urgent necessity if the future work of the Bureau was to be carried out satisfactorily. 3. Thanks to the promise of assistance from the Empire Marketing Board, the Managing Committee have now been able to decide that a new building should be constructed at Kew in which the Bureau may be housed. The building proposed, which is to contain ample room for the accommodation of visiting mycologists, for laboratory work, and for the housing of specimens, is estimated to cost £10,000, and the internal fittings require another £2,000. Towards this total cost of £12,000 the Empire Marketing Board have agreed to make a grant of £8,000, and the balance will be provided from the Bureau's reserves. It is expected that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will place at the Bureau's disposal an admirable site for this new building near the Herbarium and Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Negotiations as to this site are in progress, and as soon as this matter is definitely settled the Managing Committee hope to proceed without delay with the construction, of the new building. 4. It is anticipated that the provision of this new building will prove to be of the greatest possible benefit to the Bureau's future work, and will greatly enhance the value of the services which it is able to give to the Agricultural Departments of the various parts of the Empire. Special attention is invited to the fact that in the new building greater facilities will be possible for mycologists from overseas to work at the Bureau as opportunity offers. 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. 6. New Zealand, Dominions No. 51. Sir, — Downing Street, 30th January, 1928. I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of an agreement signed on the 19th October, 1927, by the Governor of the Straits Settlements on behalf of His Majesty the King and by His Highness the Sultan of Johore, on the subject of the boundary between the Straits Settlements and Johore. 2. The effect of this agreement is to convert certain islands and waters which formerly formed part of the Colony of the Straits Settlements into territory under His Majesty's protection and territorial waters thereof. In the circumstances, the Secretary of State for the Colonies was advised that the agreement should be described as made on behalf of His Majesty, and that Parliamentary approval of the agreement should be obtained. A Bill giving the approval of Parliament to the agreement is being drafted.

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3. In view, however, of the position of Johore as a territory under His Majesty's protection, it is considered that the agreement should not be regarded as a treaty between His Majesty and the Head of a foreign State. Accordingly, no full power has been issued by His Majesty for its signature, and no provision has been made for ratification by His Majesty. Further, it is not contemplated that the agreement should be registered with the League of Nations under Article 18 of the Covenant. I have, &c. (For the Secretary of State), LOVAT. Govern or-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., 1v.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Agreement made between His Excellency Sir Hugh Charles Clifford, M.C.S., Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of the Straits Settlements, 011 behalf of His Britannic Majesty, and His Highness Ibrahim, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, bin Almarhom Sultan Abu Bakar, Sultan of the State and Territory of Johore. Whereas by Article II of the Treaty of the 2nd day of August, 1824, made between the Honourable the English East India Company on the one side and Their Highnesses the Sultan and Tumungong of Johore on the other, Their said Highnesses did cede in full sovereignty and property to the said Company, their heirs and successors for ever, the Island of Singapore together with certain adjacent seas, straits, and islets : And whereas His Britannic Majesty is the successor of the Honourable the English East India Company : And whereas His Britannic Majesty, in token of the friendship which he bears towards His Highness Ibrahim bin Almarhom Sultan Abu Bakar, Sultan of the State and Territory of Johore, is desirous that certain of the said seas, straits, and islets shall be retroceded and shall again form part of the State and Territory of Johore : Now, therefore, it is agreed and declared as follows:— Article I. The boundary between the territorial waters of the Settlement of Singapore and those of the State and Territory of Johore shall, except as hereafter specified in this article, be an imaginary line following the centre of the deep-water channel in Johore Strait, between the mainland of the State and Territory of Johore on the one side and the northern shores of the Islands of Singapore, Pulau Übin, Pulau Tekong Kechil, and Pulau Tekong Besar on the other side. Where, if at all, the channel divides into two portions of equal depth running side by side, the boundary shall run midway between these two portions. At the western entrance of Johore Strait, the boundary, after passing through the centre of the deep-water channel eastward of Pulau Merambong, shall proceed seaward in the general direction of the axis of this channel produced until it intersects the three-mile limit drawn from the low-water mark of the south-coast of Pulau Merambong. At the eastern entrance of Johore Strait the boundary shall be held to pass through the centre of the deep-water channel between the mainland of Johore, westward of Johore Hill, and Pulau Tekong Besar, next through the centre of the deep-water channel between Johore Shoal and the mainland of Johore, southward of Johore Hill, and finally turning southward, to intersect the three-mile limit drawn from the low-water mark of the mainland of Johore in a position bearing 192° from Tanjong Sitapa. The boundary as so defined is approximately delineated in red on the map annexed hereunto and forming part of this Agreement. Should, however, the map, owing to alterations in the channels, &c., appear at any time to conflict with the text of this Agreement, the text shall in all cases prevail. Article 11. Subject to the provisions of Article I hereof, all those waters ceded by Their Highnesses the Sultan and Tumungong of Johore under treaty of the 2nd of August, 1824, which are within three nautical miles of the mainland of the State and Territory of Johore measured from low-water mark shall be deemed to be within the territorial waters of the State and Territory of Johore. Article 111. All islets lying within the territorial waters of the State and Territory of Johore, as defined in Articles I and II hereof, which immediately prior to this Agreement formed part of His Britannic Majesty's dominions, are hereby ceded in full sovereignty and property to His Highness the Sultan of the State and Territory of Johore, his heirs and successors for ever.

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Article IV. This agreement shall remain without force or effect until it has received the approval of the British Parliament. In witness whereof His Excellency Sir Hugh Charles Clifford, M.C.S., Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and His Highness Ibrahim, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, bin Almarhom Sultan Abu Bakar have set their respective seals and signatures. Dated at Singapore, this 19th day of October, 1927. [l.s.] Hugh Clifford, M.C.S., Ibrahim. [l.s.] Governor and Commander-in-Chief. Witnesses— Witnesses— J. D. Hall. (Signed) Abdullah bin Jaafar. Dato' Mentri Besar, Johore. J. Huggins. (Signed) Haji Mohamed Said bin Haji Suleiman, Captain ; Private Secretary to H.H, the Sultan.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 32. Sir, — Downing Street, 24th February, 1928. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 204, of the Ist August, 1927, I have the honour to state that the Airship Mission under Group-Captain Fellowes, D.5.0., A.F.C., R.A.F., Director of Airship Development, has now returned to this country from its visit to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand for the purpose of selecting suitable sites for the establishment of airship bases, and that the Air Council desire to express their thanks to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand for the courtesy and hospitality extended to the Mission in the course of its visit to New Zealand. 2. It is understood that the results of the investigations were reported by the Mission to the New Zealand authorities before leaving the country. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Govern or-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. 8. New Zealand, No. 44. Sir, — Downing Street, 14th March, 1928. With reference to Lord Lovat's despatch, No. 1, of the 4th January, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have approved of the nationality rule for entry into the commissioned ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines being amended to read as follows : — " Candidates must be British subjects of pure European descent, and the sons of either natural-born or naturalized British subjects. In doubtful cases the burden of clear proof will rest upon the candidates." I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellencv 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. 9. New Zealand, Dominions No. 137. Sir, — Downing Street, 16th March, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 178, of the 22nd March, 1927, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, copies of a parliamentary question and answer of the sth March regarding the broadcasting of controversial matter. 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.

Enclosure. [Extract from House of Commons Official Report, sth March, 1928.] Broadcasting (Controversial Matter). Captain Fraser (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister, Whether he can now state what decision has been arrived at by the Government regarding the broadcast of controversial matter ? The Prime Minister : The Government have reviewed the decision, taken at the time of the constitution of the British Broadcasting Corporation, under which the corporation has been prohibited from broadcasting— (a) Expressions of opinion by the corporation on matters of public policy ; and (b) Statements involving matters of political, religious, or industrial controversy. The Government have decided that the first of these prohibitions—i.e., that on the issue of " editorial " pronouncements—must be maintained, but that the second shall be withdrawn forthwith. The Corporation has been informed that the Government expect them to use the discretionary power thus experimentally entrusted to them strictly in accordance with the spirit of the Crawford Committee's Report, and that it is their responsibility to see that this is done.

No. 10. New Zealand, Dominions No. 145. Sir, — Downing Street, 21st March, 1928. With reference to the telegram from the Dominions Office, Circular A No. 6, of the Ist February, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the exchange of ratifications of the Special Claims Convention with Mexico took place at Mexico City on the Bth March. 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.

No. 11. New Zealand, Dominions No. 158. Sir., — Downing Street, 27th March, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 328, of the 3rd June, 1927, regarding the Anglo-Spanish Commercial Treaty, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that by notes exchanged at Madrid on the 6th February between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Spanish Government it has been agreed that the expression " His Britannic Majesty's territories " as employed in Article 24 of the Treaty of the 31st October, 1922, revised by the Convention of the sth April, 1927, includes any territory which is under His Majesty's protection and any territory in respect of which a mandate is being exercised by any of His Majesty's Governments on behalf of the League of Nations. 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. 12. New Zealand, No. 66. Sir, — Downing Street, 11th April, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 154, of the 24th March, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a parliamentary question and answer of the 4th April regarding New Zealand's contribution to Imperial defence. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LLD., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. [Extract from Official Report, dated 4th April, 1928.] Imperial Defence (New Zealand's Contribution). 11. Mr. A. M. Williams asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Government of New Zealand has offered to make any additional contribution to Imperial defence, and, if so, of what nature ? The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Bridgeman) : In 1924 the New Zealand Government undertook the entire maintenance of the oil-burning cruiser " Dunedin " in place of the coal-burning cruiser " Chatham," which they had been maintaining since 1920. In 1925 the New Zealand Government further undertook the entire maintenance of a second oil-burning cruiser, the " Diomede." Quite recently, as stated in my speech introducing the Navy Estimates, New Zealand has made the generous contribution of £1,000,000, to be paid in eight equal instalments, towards the construction of the dock at Singapore. I was wrong in saying that New Zealand was to maintain an additional cruiser. It is anticipated that when the existing cruisers are eventually withdrawn they will be replaced by two B class cruisers to be wholly maintained by New Zealand.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 69. Sir,— Downing Street, 16th April, 1928. With reference to paragraph 8 of the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, No. 225, of the 30th October, 1923, regarding the position in the event of war of men of the Army Reserve who are resident in the Dominions, I have the honour to state that I am informed by the Army Council that cases have occurred where Reservists have been enlisted into the forces of a Dominion without any notification being transmitted to Officers in Charge of Records concerned in this country. 2. The Army Council state that it is the practice to discharge such Reservists from the Army Reserve as soon as it is found that they are serving in a Dominion Force, but in some cases a considerable period elapses before any notification of enlistment is received, and normally this fact is only brought to light by reason of the Reservist himself notifying his change of address. 3. The Council would be glad if arrangements could be made to notify Officers in Charge of Records of such enlistment and the date of enlistment, in order that the necessary action regarding discharge from the British Army Reserve may be proceeded with. 4. A similar despatch is being sent to His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Union of South Africa, and 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.

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No. 14. New Zealand, No. 93. Sir, — Downing Street, 12th May, 192 With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 259, of the 3rd October, 1927, I have the honour to state that Dr. A. W. Hill has asked that an expression of his thanks may be conveyed to your Prime Minister and to all those in New Zealand who carried out the excellent arrangements by which he was able to see so much that was of value during his recent visit. Dr. Hill is very grateful for the interest which was taken in his mission. 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.Y.0., &c.

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 99. Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd May, 1928. With reference to my telegram, Circular A No. 12, of the 26th March, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of a Memorandum on Financial Resolution relating to Naval Prize (Transfer of Fund), (Cmd. 3089) ; together with copies of the House of Commons Official Report of the 7th May containing the debate on the Resolution (columns 126-146). 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. Naval Prize : Memorandum on Financial Resolution. The Naval Prize Act, 1918 (8 & 9 Geo. Y, c. 30), provided (inter alia) (1) that, if His Majesty should be pleased by Proclamation or Order in Council to make a grant of prize-money to the Fleet, the sums received in respect of ships and goods captured during the Great War, being droits of the Crown, should be paid into a separate fund to be called the Naval Prize Fund and to be controlled by the Admiralty; (.2) that, subject to costs, expenses, &c., the first charge on the Naval Prize Fund should be the payment of prize-money to the Fleet in such manner as might be determined by Proclamation or Order in Council; (3) that the residue of the Fund should be applied to the purpose of Naval charities and for the benefit of members and dependants of members of the Naval Forces of the Dominions ; (4) that a tribunal should be set up to determine what sums should be payable into or out of the Naval Prize Fund in accordance with the provisions of the schedule to the Act. 11. His Majesty, by His Proclamations of 15th August, 1918, was pleased to make a grant of prize to the Fleet, to be dealt with in accordance with the above Act, and by a Proclamation of 10th of February, 1919, to order prize-money to be distributed to those qualified by service on a share basis laid down. 111. The main function of the tribunal was to determine which prizes were droits of Admiralty (which are payable to the Exchequer) and which were droits of the Crown, and as such payable into the Naval Prize Fund. Distributions of prize-money have been made, and the work is substantially completed; it is desirable, therefore, that the Prize Tribunal and the Prize Fund should be closed down, and that any other contingent liabilities outstanding against the Fund should be transferred to the Exchequer. A considerable amount of administrative trouble and expense would thereby be saved, and, subject to provision being made to meet such contingent liabilities, there appears to be no reason why that step should be longer deferred. The Treasury and the Admiralty have agreed that the sum of £126,500 will be sufficient to meet any such contingencies, and that this amount should accordingly be transferred from the Prize Fund to the Exchequer. IV. It is proposed to introduce legislation to provide for the dissolution of the tribunal and for the custody of its records, &c., to authorize the agreement arrived at between the Admiralty and the Treasury, and to effect the consequential amendments of the Naval Prize Act, 1918.

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No. 16. New Zealand, Dominions No. 293. Sir, — Downing Street, 30tli May, 1928. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Board of Trade have had under consideration 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. It was represented to the Royal Commission on Health Insurance, a copy of whose report (Cmd. 2599) was enclosed in my despatch, Dominions No. 128, of the 10th March, 1926, that a large number of seamen's contribution-cards failed to reach the Approved Societies to which the men belonged, owing to the carelessness or ignorance of seamen in this matter, with the result that the societies failed to obtain the credit to which they were entitled in respect of the contributions, and consequently suffered considerable financial loss, whilst the seamen themselves were liable to suffer loss of benefit in the case of subsequent illness. The Royal Commission recommended that in the case of foreign-going seamen the card system of collecting contributions should be abandoned and replaced by a schedule system. This recommendation has been accepted, and the necessary regulations will be made by the Minister of Health, partly under existing powers and partly under the National Health Insurance Bill now before Parliament, which confers additional powers in the matter. 2. To give effect to these recommendations it is proposed that the master of every foreign-going ship to which the Act applies shall, at the end of the voyage, complete a schedule showing the total number of contributions payable for the voyage. The details relating to individual seamen will be shown separately on cards to be known as " voyage cards," and only the totals will appear in the schedule itself. The aggregate amount of the contributions payable, as shown on the schedule, will be paid to the Superintendent or other officer before whom the crew are discharged. 3. The voyage card will show the seaman's .name, home address, and Continuous Discharge Book (Dis.A) number (or, in the few cases where this is not available, the name of his Approved Society, his membership number therein, and the year and place of his birth), together with the name of the ship, the dates of the voyage, and the number of contributions payable. 4. The Superintendent or other officers will see that the entries in the schedule correspond to the particulars already entered by the master in the agreement as regards the numbers of insurable, non - insurable, and foreigndomiciled seamen; that there are voyage-cards for all insurable seamen; and that there is no obvious error in the amount paid to him. He will forward a remittance for this amount, together with the schedule and the voyage-cards, to a central Clearing-house, whence the amount will be distributed among the various Approved Societies and other bodies concerned, in order that they may credit the individual seamen with the contributions to which they are entitled. He will not be expected to decide whether particular members of the crew are insurable, or whether the rates at which contributions are payable have been correctly stated in every case, or otherwise to check the particulars in detail; any errors in these matters will be adjusted at the Clearing-house. 5. For the success of the proposed system it is desirable that all officers before whom the crews of foreign-going ships are discharged should receive and forward the schedules, voyage-cards, and amounts of contributions, and I shall be glad to know if His Majesty's Government in New Zealand will be prepared to authorize the appropriate officers to undertake this work on the rare occasions when crews of ships to which the National Health and Pensions Insurance Acts apply are discharged before them. In that event, detailed instructions on the subject would be issued by the Board of Trade in due course. It may be added, that the Board of Trade are of opinion that the introduction of the system will appreciably lighten the duties of officers in connection with the insurance of seamen, since all duties in connection with the insurance cards of seamen discharged or left behind abroad during the currency of the agreement

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will automatically cease. If, moreover, the schedule system is brought into force at all ports at which the crews of foreign-going ships are discharged, the use of insurance cards and stamps as a means of collecting the contributions will cease, and the need for officers to keep stocks of such cards and stamps will disappear. 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. 17. New Zealand, Dominions No. 299. Sir, — Downing Street, 31st May, 1928. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Air Council have had under consideration the desirability of endeavouring to arrange for a Conference of official meteorologists from all parts of the Empire. 2. The need for such a Conference has arisen from several causes — (a) The great advance which has been made since the war in meteorological science and its applications to practical problems : (b) The increasing use of weather information by ships at sea : (c) The development of aviation, especially the increasing frequency of extensive flights between the various parts of the Empire : (d) The proposal to establish Imperial airship lines. 3. Each of these developments call for greater co-operation between the different meteorological services of the Empire, so that uniform methods of making observations, tabulations of data, and exchange of information by cable or radio-telegraphy may be adopted so far as possible throughout the Empire. 4. A list of the subjects which could be usefully discussed at the Conference is enclosed. 5. I shall be glad to be informed whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would be willing to be represented at the proposed Conference. The date cannot be fixed at present, as it would seem desirable that it should be held in London prior to the next meeting of the International Meteorological Conference, of which all Directors of official meteorological services are members, so that the Directors may attend both Conferences while in Europe. The International Conference is to be held between July and October, 1929, but the place of meeting and date have not yet been arranged. 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. Subjects for Discussion at the Proposed Conference of British Meteorologists. I. Marine Meteorology : — (a) Uniform meteorological logs. (b) Collection of data from ships by wireless—uniform methods and codes. (c) Issue of weather information to ships by broadcast wireless messages—desirable that the form of the messages should be the same. (d) Encouragement of the exchange of weather information from ship to ship on a uniform and approved scheme. (e) Storm warnings and storm signals. (/) Use of the Hollerith system so that data can easily be exchanged. (g) Times of observations of ships at sea. (h) Uniform methods of estimating ocean currents.

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11. Aviation Meteorology :— (a) The allocation of areas within which the various meteorological services "will provide the meteorological organization along the main Imperial airship and aeroplane routes. (b) The general meteorological ground organization necessary for airship operations. (c) Investigation of meteorological conditions affecting aerial navigation, both by airship and aeroplane, the data to be obtained, and the best methods for reducing and discussing them. ] 11. Colonies and Protectorates :— The necessity for improving the organization for the collection and publication of data both for general climatological purposes and for the development of aviation. IV. General:— (a) The need for uniform methods throughout the Empire to facilitate the exchange of information. (b) The interchange of information regarding methods in use, and especially of any changes made in methods of observation and supply of information. (<:) The extension of the Hollerith system of data extraction to branches of meteorological work other than marine, and the selection of the elements to be so tabulated. (d) The preparation of a book on the climate of the British Empire. (e) Special meteorological needs of the Army. (f) Supply of information to the Navy. (<]) The use of a uniform method of broadcasting weather maps. (h) The possibility of some exchange of staff between the various meteorological services of the Empire. (i) The desirability of the meteorological services of the Empire taking a greater part in the International Meteorological Conferences. — i

No. 18. New Zealand, Dominions No. 302. n Sir, — "Downing Street, 6th June, 1928. With reference to Lord Lovat's despatch, Dominions No. 545, of the 18th October, 1927, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that attention has been drawn to the possibility of confusion arising, in the case of those countries with whom it is proposed to negotiate both Commercial Travellers' Samples Agreements and Commercial Treaties, from the existence in two separate instruments of provisions relating to the treatment of commercial travellers and commercial travellers'' samples. 2. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have given consideration to the means by which the possible disadvantages of this overlapping might best be avoided, and are of opinion that the difficulty would most easily be obviated by action on the following lines : — In the event of the Commercial Treaty being signed before the Commercial Travellers' Samples Agreement, steps should be taken to obtain the insertion in the latter agreement of a provision to the effect that — " This agreement shall, so long as it is in force and so far as the commercial travellers defined in Article are concerned, be regarded as in substitution for the provisions of Article of the Commercial Treaty." If, however, the Commercial Travellers' Samples Agreement is signed before the Commercial Treaty, steps should be taken after the conclusion of the Commercial Treaty to exchange notes with the Foreign Government concerned, recording that— " So long as the Commercial Travellers' Samples Agreement is in force, and so far as the commercial travellers defined in Article —— of that agreement are concerned, that agreement shall be regarded as being in substitution for the provisions of Article — : — of the Commercial Treaty." 4. By this means, it is felt, it will be possible to avoid the inconvenience of having two separate sets of provisions dealing with the same subject, while at the same time full priority would be secured for each Commercial Travellers' Samples Agreement over the relevant article of each Commercial Treaty, so long as the former remained in force. The benefits of the relevant article of each Commercial Treaty would not, however, be forfeited should the treaty outlast the agreement.

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5. Instructions in the above sense have accordingly been sent to — (a) His Majesty's Representative at Panama, in connection with the treaty which it is proposed to negotiate with the Government of Panama (see my despatch, Dominions No. 233, of the sth May) : (b) His Majesty's Representative at Santo Domingo, in connection with the proposed treaty with Dominica (see my despatch, Dominions No. 111, of the 3rd March) : (c) His Majesty's Representative at Port Au-Prince, in connection with the proposed treaty with Hayti (see Lord Lovat's despatch, Dominions No. 498, of the 9th September, 1927) : (d) His Majesty's Representative at Guatemala, in connection with the treaty with Guatemala (see my despatch, Dominions No. 259, of the 17th May) and the proposed treaty with Salvador (see Lord Lovat's despatch, Dominions No. 477, of the 26th August, 1927). I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-Genera] His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 19. New Zealand, Dominions No. 366. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th July, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 540, of the 26th November, 1926, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of Parliamentary Paper (Cmd. 3143), regarding subsidies to Civil Air Transport Services. 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. Air, Ministry.—Subsidies to Civil Air Transport Services. Note by the Secretary of State for Air on the principal provisions agreed to be embodied in a contract with Imperial Airways, Limited, for a weekly service between England and India, combined with daily services on certain routes in Europe, in substitution of the agreement of 15th May, 1924 (Cmd. 2010 of 1923) as amended by the agreement of 18th December, 1925 (Cmd. 2574 of 1926) and of the agreement of 28th October, 1926 (Cmd. 2758 of 1926). Presented by the Secretary of Stale for Air to Parliament by Command of His Majesty.—July, 1928. Subsidized Civil Air Transport Services. The new agreement with Imperial Airways, Limited, will come into force on Ist April, 1929, in substitution of all existing agreements, and will extend for a period of ten years from that date. The services to be provided will cover not only the present daily services on certain European routes to a minimum extent of 425,000,000 horse-power miles per annum, but also a weekly service each way between England and India, to commence on or about Ist April, 1929. It is hoped that eventually this latter service will be operated twice weekly. The through service to India will terminate at Karachi ; but the Government of India have under consideration proposals, for civil air transport services operating from Karachi eastwards which will connect with it. The maximum subsidies in respect of the services to be provided under the new agreement will be on the following decreasing scale : — £ For each of the first two years . . .. . . 335,000 For each of the next four years . . .. .. 310,000 For the seventh year .. .. .. .. 220,000 For the eighth year . . .. . . . . 170,000 For the ninth year .. .. . . . . 120,000 For the tenth (final) year .. . . . . 70,000 The maximum amount for-each year will be allocated in definite proportions to (1) the European services, (2) the England-Egypt section, and (3) the Egypt-India section.

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In view of the importance of securing continuous progress in the design of machines, and more particularly a steady improvement in the ratio of paying-load to running-costs, the scale of subsidy above mentioned provides for the application of an average obsolescence rate of not less than 25 per cent, per annum, unless in special circumstances the Secretary of State shall otherwise determine. This will allow for two complete replacements of types during the currency of the agreement, at the expiration of which period it is hoped that, given a reasonable increase in the volume of traffic, a fully paying type of machine, with consequent low obsolescence rate, will have been evolved, and that subsidies from the Exchequer will no longer be required. In effect, as the result of experience gained, to date under the old agreements, the period of ten years, by the end of which it was originally hoped that commercial air transport would have become self-supporting, is extended to fifteen years ; and the new agreement accordingly provides for the subsidy in respect of the European services being maintained in 1928 at the same rate as in the past four years, and thereafter tapering towards extinction over a period of ten instead of five years. In regard to mails, the surcharges per ounce of mail carried will be fixed in agreement with the Postmaster-General, but provision will be made in the agreement for carriage >of mails at such rates as will enable the surcharge, in the first instance at any rate, to approximate to 3d. per ounce between England and Egypt, Egypt and Iraq, Iraq and India ; and 6d. per ounce between England and Iraq or India. The conditions in regard to the England-India service include the handing over to Imperial Airways, Limited, of the two experimental " Calcutta " flying-boats recently completed under the civil aircraft experimental programme ; but provision will be made for payment by Imperial Airways for these boats and a corresponding addition to the subsidy for the first year of operation of the EnglandEgypt section of the through route. Under the existing agreements one-third of the profits of the company available for distribution after a dividend of 10 per cent, on the paid-up capital is to be applied to repayment of subsidies received by the company under the agreement of 15th May, 1924. In the new agreement this provision will be abandoned, and in. lieu thereof the Government will receive an allotment of deferred shares carrying rights to half the excess over 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares which (1) may be distributed as dividends in any year during the ten years' subsidy period, (2) may be earned as distributable profits in any year thereafter. The deferred shares will also have special rights in regard to participation in any surplus assets in the event of a voluntary winding-up of the company. The right of the Secretary of State to nominate two Government directors upon the board of the company is retained, and, apart from the special provisions above quoted, the general terms and conditions of the agreement will be similar to those embodied in the former agreements (Cmd. 2010 of 1923 ; 2574 of 1926 ; and 2758 of 1926). Samuel Hoare. Air Ministry, 9th July, 1928.

No. 20. New Zealand, Dominions No. 378. Sir, — Downing Street, Ist August, 1928. I have the honour to refer to the subject of the nationality and registration marks to be used by civil aircraft, and to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that, as a result of the decisions on aircraft call signs reached by the International Radio-telegraph Conference held in Washington last year, the International Commission for Air Navigation, at its fourteenth session, held in Geneva from the Bth to the 11th June, 1928, decided to adopt a revised table of marks based on the Washington Convention, the new markings to become effective as from the Ist January, 1929. 2. The decisions of the International Commission involve changes in the nationality and registration marks allocated to the Dominions, which will be in accordance with the following table : —

I Dominion. Markings for Civil Aircraft as from 1st January, 1929. Australia .. .. V.H-; V.I-; V.J-; V.K-; V.L-; V.M-; followed by all three-letter combinations. Canada .. .. i G.F-; C.G-; C.H-; C.I-; C.J-; C.K-; V.A-; V.B-; V.C-; V.D. ; V.E-; V.F-; V.G- ; followed by all three-letter combinations. Irish Free State .. E.I- ; followed by all three-letter combinations. Newfoundland .. j V.O-; followed by all three-letter combinations. New Zealand .. Z.K-; Z.L-; Z.M-; followed by all three-letter combinations. South Africa .. Z.S-; Z.T-; Z.U-; followed by all three-letter combinations.

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The International Commission also agreed that the hyphen should follow the single letter, or, as in the case of the Dominions, the two letters, which will be distinctive for each particular State. 3. His Majesty's Government in New Zealand will no doubt wish to consider the action necessary to ensure that, as from the Ist January, 1929, the present markings on existing aircraft are replaced by the new markings, and that, as from the same date, all new registrations are in accordance with the decision of the International Commission. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.GB., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 21. New Zealand, No. 158. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th August, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's telegram, No. 65, of the 7th July, and to state that the Director of the International Office of Public Health is being informed that notifications of outbreaks of diseases destined for His Majesty's Government in New Zealand and for the authorities in the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa should be addressed to the Ministry of Health, Wellington, 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. 22. New Zealand, No. 159. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th August, 1928. With reference to Lord Jellicoe's telegram of the 6th February, 1924, I have the honour to state, for the information of Your Excellency's Ministers, that the period of five years for which Mr. R. W. Carter was seconded for service under the Falkland Islands Government as Chief Inspector of Stock expires on the 4th April, 1929. 2. Mr. Carter is being granted four and a half months' vacation leave on the completion of his engagement, and in accordance with the terms of his agreement he is being provided with a free first-class passage to New Zealand via Valparaiso, Chile, by the R.M.S. " Orita " on or about the 16th October, 1928. Full salary will be paid for the period of the voyage. 3. Instructions have been issued to Mr. Carter to report for duty to the proper authority in New Zealand not later than the sth April, 1929. 4. The Secretary of State for the Colonies asks that you will convey to your Ministers an expression of the thanks of the Falkland Islands Government for the loan of Mr. Carter's services. 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. 23. New Zealand, Dominions No. 396. Sir, — Downing Street, 17th August, 1928. With reference to the second paragraph of Mr. Thomas's despatch, No. 353, of the 6t-h November, 1924, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Managing Committee of the Imperial Bureau of Mycology have had under consideration the arrangements to be made for the convening of the second Imperial Mycological Conference, which, in accordance with Resolution No. 5 of the Imperial Mycological Conference of 1924, is due to be held next year. The Committee are of opinion that the most convenient course will be to hold this Conference in London at the end of September, 1929. 2. It is proposed that, in the absence of unforeseen circumstances which may necessitate an alteration in the arrangements, the Conference should open on the 23rd September, and should last for about ten days, during the last three of which excursions to places of interest to the members and within easy reach of London would probably be arranged. It is hoped that, as in the case of the Conference of 1924, meetings will be held in the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington. 3. In the opinion of the Managing Committee the success of the first Conference held in 1924 has left no doubt as to the value of such a meeting, and as to the desirability of ensuring that the Conference of 1929 shall be equally successful. Moreover, the policy of holding such periodical Conferences of research workers was warmly endorsed in paragraph 37 of the report of the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference held in October, 1927, a copy of which was enclosed in my Dominions despatch No. 192, of the 13th April. The Committee are anxious that the forthcoming Conference should be widely representative of all parts of the Empire ; and they express the hope that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand will, in common with other oversea Governments, find it possible to send a representative to attend the Conference. 4. The agenda will be settled later ; but, in addition to the discussion of general mycological matters, opportunity will be taken for the Director to make a general review of the Bureau's work since the last Conference, and for consideration to be given to the Bureau's future programme, and to the question of the financial arrangements which will be necessary to give effect to it. 5. I should be glad to learn whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand will be represented at the Conference, and, if so, who will probably be deputed for the purpose. 6. The Director of the Bureau will welcome any suggestions as to subjects which it may be thought desirable to place on the agenda. It would be convenient if these could be sent direct to him at the Bureau, at 17 Kew Green, Kew, Surrey. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY, Governor-General His Excellencv General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 24. New Zealand, Dominions No. 423. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th August, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 290, of the 30th May, 1928, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Report of the Committee of Civil Research Sub-Committee on the British Pharmacopoeia (Cmd. 3101) has now been accepted by the General Medical Council. 2. The General Medical Council desire me to transmit on their behalf a formal invitation to His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions to set up or to arrange for the setting-up of the Committees of Pharmacopoeia Revision which are referred to in paragraph 149 of the Sub-Committee's Report. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.GB., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

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No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 428. Sir, — Downing Street, 28th August, 1928. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that, in accordance with the invitation conveyed by the Prime Minister at the Third World's Poultry Congress, held at Ottawa in 1927, His Majesty's Government in Great Britain are arranging to hold the Fourth World's Poultry Congress in this country, probably in the second half of July, 1930. At the request of the poultry industry in this country the Minister" of Agriculture has undertaken full responsibility for the organization of the Congress. 2. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain desire to extend to His Majesty's Government in New Zealand ail invitation to participate in this Congress. Further particulars regarding the proposed Congress will be communicated in due course. 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. 26. New Zealand, Dominions No. 454. Sir, — Downing Street, 10th September, 1928. With reference to Mr. Churchill's despatch, Dominions No. 331, of the 31st August, 1922, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of the Solicitors Act, 1928 (18 and 19 Geo. V, c. 22). 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. Solicitors Act, 1928. Chapter 22. An Act to amend the Law relating to Solicitors. [3rd August, 1928^] 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 : — Employment of Persons struck of the Roll or suspended. 1. (1) No solicitor shall in connection with his practice as a solicitor, without the written permission of the Society, employ or remunerate any person who to the knowledge of such solicitor is disqualified from practising as a solicitor by reason of the fact that he has been struck off the roll of solicitors otherwise than at his own request, or is suspended from practising as a solicitor. (2) Any such permission may be given for such period and upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Society may think fit. (3) Any solicitor aggrieved by the refusal of the Society to grant any such permission as aforesaid, or by any terms and conditions attached by them to the grant thereof, may appeal to the Master of the Rolls, who may confirm the refusal or the terms and conditions, as the case may be, or may, in lieu of the Society, grant such permission as aforesaid for such a period and upon and subject to such terms and conditions as he may think fit. (4) If any solicitor acts in contravention of the provisions of this section, or of the terms and conditions upon or subject to which any permission has been given thereunder, he shall be liable to be dealt with in like manner as if he had acted in contravention of the provisions of section thirtytwo of the Solicitors Act, 1843 [6 & 7 Vict., c. 73], so, however, that, upon any application to strike a solicitor off the roll in respect of any contravention of the provisions of this Act, the powers of the Committee constituted under section twelve of the Solicitors Act, 1888 [51 & 52 Vict., c. 65], shall, without prejudice to their powers as to making orders as to costs, include power, in lieu of striking the solicitor off the roll, to order him to be suspended from practice for such period as they may think fit.

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Penalty for Failure to disclose. 2. (1) Any person who, whilst he is disqualified from practising as a solicitor by reason of the fact that he has been struck off the roll of solicitors otherwise than at his own request or is suspended from practising as a solicitor, seeks or accepts employment by a solicitor in connection with that solicitor's practice without previously informing that solicitor that he is so disqualified as aforesaid shall, on summary conviction, be liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding ten pounds. (2) Notwithstanding anything in the Summary Jurisdiction Acts, proceedings under this section may be commenced at any time before the expiration of six months after the first discovery of the offence by the prosecutor, but no such proceedings shall be commenced except by or with the consent of the Attorney-General. Interpretation, Short Title, and Extent. 3. (1) In this Act "the Society" means the Law Society, and anything authorized to be done by the Society under this Act may be done by the Council of the Society on their behalf. (2) This Act may be cited as the Solicitors Act, 1928, and the Solicitors Acts, 1839 to 1922, and this Act may be cited together as the Solicitors Acts, 1839 to 1928. (3) The provisions of this Act shall not extend to Scotland or to Northern Ireland.

No. 27. New Zealand, No. 181. Sir, — Downing Street, 11th September, 1928. With reference to my despatch, No. 162, of the 13th August, .1 have the honour to state that the appointment of Vice-Admiral A. K. Waistell, C.8., as Commander-in-Chief, China Station, in succession to Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald T. Tyrwhitt, Bt., K.C.8., D.5.0., D.C.L., has been amended to date 28th November, 1928. 2. Vice-Admiral Waistell will assume command about the Ist February, 1929. 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. 28. New Zealand, Dominions No. 459. Sir, — Downing Street, 12th September, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 288, of the 26th May, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of sections 7 and 8 of the Finance Act, 1928, providing for the reduction of duty on certain negative cinematograph-films, and the exemption of scientific films from duty. 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. Finance Act, 1928. Chapter 17. Reduction of Duty on Certain Negative Cinematograpli-films. 7 (1). Subject to compliance with such, conditions as the Commissioners may by regulations prescribe, any negative cinematograph-films which are certified by the Board of Trade to satisfy the requirements of subsection three of section twenty-seven of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927 [17 & 18 Geo. V, c. 29] (which prescribes what films shall be deemed to be British films for the purposes of that Act), and parts of any films so certified, shall, for the purpose of the Customs duties charged on cinematograph-films by section three of the Finance Act, 1925, be treated as if they were blank film. (2) This section shall be deemed to have had effect as from the twenty-eighth day of April, nineteen hundred and twenty-eight. Exemption of Scientific Films from Duty. 8. (1) The Customs duties imposed by subsection one of section three of the Finance Act, 1925, no negative and positive cinematograph-films shall cease to be payable in the case of a film which is certified by the Royal Society of L mdon for Promoting Natural Knowledge to be solely an illustration of scientific investigation for exhibition before members of a recognized scientific body and which is imported only for the purpose of such exhibition free of charge. (2) If any person exhibits, otherwise than as aforesaid, any film which has been exempted from duty under this section he shall on summary conviction be liable in respect of each offence to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

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No. 29. New Zealand, Dominions No. 462. Sir, — Downing Street, 14th September, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 127, of the 9th March, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of the Easter Act, 1928 (18 & 19 Geo. Y, c. 35). 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. Easter Act, 1928. Chapter 35. An Act to regulate the Date of Easter Day and Days or other Periods and Occasions depending thereon. [3rd August, 1928.] 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 : — Date of Easter Day. 1. Easter Day shall, in the calendar year next but one after the commencement of this Act, and in all subsequent years, be the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April; and section three of the Calendar (New Style) Act, 1750 [24 Geo. 11, c. 23], the new calendar, tables, and rules annexed to that Act, and section two of the Calendar Act, 1751 [25 Geo. 11, c. 30], are hereby amended and shall be read and construed accordingly; and, in particular, the Calendar (New Style) Act, 1750, shall as respects such calendar years as aforesaid, have effect as if in the " Rules to know when the Moveable Feasts and Holy Days begin " contained in that Act, for the words " is always the first Sunday after the full moon which happens upon or next after the twenty-first day of March, and if the full moon happens upon a Sunday, Easter Day is the Sunday after," there shall be substituted the words " is always the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April." Short Title, Commencement, and Extent. 2. (1) This Act may be cited as the Easter Act, 1928. (2) This Act shall commence and come into operation on such date as may be fixed by Order of His Majesty in Council: Provided that, before any such Order in Council is made, a draft thereof shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and the Order shall not be made unless both Houses by resolution approve the draft either without modification or with modifications to which both Houses agree ; but upon such approval being given the order may be made in the form in which it has been so approved : Provided further that, before making such draft order, regard shall be had to any opinion officially expressed by any Church or other Christian body. (3) This Act shall extend to the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands; and His Majesty in Council may by Order extend this Act to any other part of His Majesty's dominions, except such parts as are mentioned in Part I of the Schedule to this Act, and to any territory under His Majesty's protection in which His Majesty has jurisdiction, and to any territory in respect of which a mandate on behalf of the League of Nations has been accepted by His Majesty, other than the territories mentioned in Part II of the said Schedule. SCHEDULE. Part I. British India. The Union of South Africa. The Dominion of Canada. The Irish Free State. The Commonwealth of Australia (including Papua and Newfoundland. N-orfolk Island). Southern Rhodesia. The Dominion of New Zealand. Malta. Paut 11. New Guinea. South West Africa. Western Samoa. Nauru. ,

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No. 30. New Zealand, No. 186. Sir, — Downing Street, 18th September, 1928. With reference to my telegram of 2nd May, No. 48, 1 have the honour to state that the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific has now been authorized to enact an Ordinance which will confer upon the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony power, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to acquire compulsorily land in respect of which the holder of a license to work minerals has been unable to come to terms with the surfaceowner. The Ordinance makes provision for the payment of compensation, to be assessed by arbitration in such a manner as the Secretary of State for the Colonies may direct. Sir E. liutson has been asked to forward to the New Zealand Government a copy of this Ordinance when enacted. 2. This legislation will enable the British Phosphate Commission, in the event of their failing to come to terms with the Banabans, to apply to the Resident Commissioner for the compulsory acquisition of the additional areas which they are desirous of obtaining in Ocean Island with a view to the issue of a lease. In the event of arbitration proceedings under the Ordinance becoming necessary in connection with the acquisition of land on Ocean Island for the Phosphate Commission, it is contemplated by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that one arbitrator should be appointed on behalf of the Natives and one by the Commission, and that the selection of an umpire, if required, should rest with the two arbitrators. If it should happen that the two arbitrators are unable to agree as to the appointment of an umpire an appointment would be made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. 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. 31. New Zealand, Dominions Treaty No. 74. Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd September, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 287, of the 11th July, 1925, I have the honour to state that, as His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are aware, His Majesty's Government in Great Britain took the opportunity at the Stockholm Congress in 1924 of extending to the Postal Union an invitation to hold the next Postal Union Congress in London. This invitation was accepted, and arrangements are accordingly being made for the Congress to open in London in May, 1929. 2. Bis Majesty's Government in Great Britain will be glad to receive in due course particulars of the delegation appointed to represent New Zealand at the Congress. It will, of course, be appreciated that delegates should be furnished with the necessary letters of authority empowering them to sign any conventions or arrangements which may be adopted at the Congress. 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.

No. 82. New Zealand, No. 204. Sir, — Downing Street, 3rd October, 1928. With, reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 183, of the 22nd March, 1927, regarding the question of the issue of certificats de coutume to British subjects desirous of marrying in France in accordance with French law, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that a similar question has arisen in Switzerland.

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2. The principal requirements of Swiss law in the case of a foreigner in this respect are a certificate from the consular representative of the country to which he belongs (or some other evidence) to the effect that the Swiss marriage with all its consequences will be recognized in that country. Certificates in respect of English law have been issued for many years past by His Majesty's consular officers in Switzerland to meet these requirements in the case of British subjects. 3. As the outcome of correspondence with His Majesty's Consul-General at Zurich in 1922, an amended form of certificate, a copy of which is enclosed, was sanctioned. As shown therein, this form has since been adapted to meet the case of British subjects from Canada. 4. His Majesty's Legation at Berne now represent that, in view of the situation in Switzerland of the League of Nations, British subjects from all parts of the Empire may be present in Switzerland, and that unless arrangements are made for the issue of such a certificate to any British subject on demand inconveniences are likely to arise. 5. It will be observed that the enclosed form of certificate deals with two points : (1) that, in respect of a marriage of a British subject in Switzerland according to Swiss law, a notice of marriage in the part of the Empire to which the British subject belongs is not necessary under the law of that part of the Empire ; and (2) that a marriage so celebrated is a valid form, of marriage under the law of that part of the Empire. 6. It is desired to consider the possibility of drawing up a form of certificate which can be used in the case of British subjects domiciled in any part of the British Empire. As regards point (1) above, the information received in reply to my despatch under reference will enable a formula to be adopted ; but as regards point (2), it would appear necessary for the state of the law in each part of the Empire to be taken into consideration. 7. With a view to the preparation, for the consideration of the Governments of the various parts of the Empire, of such a form of certificate, I should be glad to learn whether a marriage celebrated in Switzerland in the circumstances in question would be a valid form of marriage according to the laws in force in New Zealand, and, if so, subject to what, if any, restrictions. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Govern or-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. Form op Certificate. The British Consul, ,at , hereby declares that notice of marriage in n glarid in respect of a marriage celebrated in Switzerland in accordance with Swiss law is not necessary in English j an( j a marr j a g e g0 celebrated in Switzerland is a valid form of marriage in 03/ n&cl iSi n English . Canadian EW " This certificate relates to the civil marriage of with [,Signature.]

No. 33. New Zealand, No. 214. Sir, — Downing Street, 12th October, 1928. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 178, of the 27th July, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Lieut.-Colonel (temporary Brigadier) W. L. H. Sinclair-Burgess, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., New Zealand Staff Corps, as Aide-de-Camp to the King, in succession to Colonel C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., who has retired. A notification to this effect will appear in the London Gazette at an early date. 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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No. 34. New Zealand, No. 231. Sir, — Downing Street, sth November, 1928. With reference to Lord Lovat's despatch, No. 224, of the 16tli November, 1927, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that for the year 1929 the number of Reservists under Article 126, clause 1 (b), of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions who must form part of the crew in order that a ship may be eligible to fly the Blue Ensign of His Majesty's Fleet will be seven. 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.

No. 35. New Zealand, No. 232. Sir, — Downing Street, 7th November, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 175, of the 25th July, forwarding certified copies of the notes exchanged with the Japanese Consul-General at Sydney relative to the commercial relations between New Zealand and Japan. 2. In reply I have to request you to inform your Ministers that arrangements have been made to give effect to their wishes as regards registration of the exchange of notes with the League of Nations. The opportunity is also being taken to effect registration of the exchange of notes of November 13-16, 1926, regarding commercial relations between New Zealand and Greece, and a note has been made of your Ministers' desire that this procedure should be followed in the case of any similar arrangements which may be made by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand with foreign Governments in future. 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. 36. New Zealand, Dominions No. 541. Sir, — Downing Street, 13th November, 1928. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Air Council have had under consideration the question, of the renewal in this country of pilots' licenses issued by the competent authorities in the Dominions, and of the addition to such licenses of additional types of aircraft. 2. In the former case the Council would be prepared, on application by the pilot, and in the case of a public transport license after a satisfactory medical examination, not to renew, but, on payment of the appropriate fee, to issue a United Kingdom license of similar category, provided that the applicant can produce evidence of recent reasonable flying experience. 3. In the latter case the Council would be prepared, on production of evidence of his ability to fly the usual types of aircraft, and on payment of the usual fee, to issue a United Kingdom pilot's license of similar category to that already held, including such additional types together with those stated on the license. 4. I have to request, at the instance of the Air Council, whether the New Zealand Government will be prepared to act in a similar manner in the case of holders of pilots' licenses issued in the United Kingdom. I have, &c., L. S. AMBRY. Governor-General Ilis 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. 37. New Zealand, Dominions No. 552. Sir, — Downing Street, 19th November, 1928. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Registrar-General has had under consideration the following resolutions passed at the First Conference of Government Officers engaged in dealing with Statistics in the British Empire, held in 1920 (see page 25 of Cmd. 648 of 1920, copies of which were enclosed in Lord Milner's despatch, Dominions No. 173, of the 26th April, 1920) : — 61. " That the adoption of uniform systems of classification and listing of industries and of occupations for census and other statistical purposes within the Empire is of the utmost importance." 66. iv. " That, upon any agreement by the United Kingdom authorities with regard to the details of an occupational classification being arrived at, the results should be forwarded without delay to the various census authorities of the British Empire for their adoption if found suitable." 2. In conformity with these resolutions, the dictionaries of occupations and industries for use at the United Kingdom census in 1931 are being prepared in advance of the usual date for the information of the statistical officers in other parts of the Empire. Every effort is being made to secure that copies should be available for distribution by the middle of next year. I should be glad to learn how many copies would be required for distribution 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. 38. New Zealand, Dominions No. 561. Sir, — Downing Street, 26th November, 1928. I have the honour to transmit a copy of a despatch from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia regarding the question of exempting from payment of estate duties in the United Kingdom objects of national, scientific, historic, and artistic interest which are sold to public institutions in other parts of His Majesty's dominions. His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have had this matter under consideration, and they are prepared to agree in principle to the suggested exemption. In order, however, to give effect thereto, legislation will be required to extend the provision of section 44 of the Finance Act, 1921 (11 & 12 Geo. Y, c. 32) to cover sales to institutions in parts of His Majesty's dominions outside the United Kingdom, and it will be appreciated that the introduction of such legislation cannot be undertaken until a convenient opportunity arises. 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. A.C. 230/28/164.—N0. 36. Sib, — Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, F.C.T., 2nd Marcli, 1928. I have the honour to inform you that attention has been drawn by the Art Adviser in London of the Trustees of the Public Library, Museums, and National Gallery of Victoria to the importance of the Dominion and colonial galleries and museums obtaining the same exemptions from payment of estate duties on purchases made in England as are enjoyed by similar institutions in England.

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Under section 44 of the Imperial Finance Act, 1921, all objects purchased for a public gallery or museum in England which form part of an estate whereon duties are payable are exempt from such duties, but such exemption provision does not apply to overseas institutions. Recently a Van Dyck portrait of the Countess of Southampton was purchased for the Melbourne Art Gallery, under the terms of what is known as the " Felton Bequest," when the sum of £2,800 3s. had to be paid for such duties, while the London National Gallery, it is understood, obtained a picture by Van Dyck from the same estate without having to pay any tax. I have therefore to ask if consideration could be given to the question of extending to overseas institutions the exemption provision of the Act in respect of the payment of estate duties on objects purchased for them in England. I have, &c., S. M. Bruce, Prime Minister for External Affairs. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 39. New Zealand, Dominions No. 562. Sir, — Downing Street, 26th November, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 65, of the 24th January, 1927, I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that the Army Council have had under their consideration a form of rear-wheel suspension devised with the object of rendering six-wheeled vehicles specially suitable for traversing, when necessary, difficult surfaces such as are likely to be encountered in cross-country operations. This form of suspension has been adopted with success in six-wheeled vehicles supplied to His Majesty's Forces, and it is felt that the nature of the working conditions for many vehicles required in other parts of the Empire may make the question of incorporating this form of suspension of interest to any six-wheeler manufacturers in those parts. 2. A British patent has been granted upon the invention in question, and the letters patent have been assigned to the Secretary of State for War. The attached copy of the specification shows the nature of the patented arrangement. Corresponding proprietary rights have been granted in other countries, as shown in the list below, and all rights in the letters patent will be vested in the Secretary of State for War. 3. Tn order to serve the interests of all parts of the Empire, it has been decided to allow, in respect of the patented suspension, entire freedom for its incorporation in vehicles built within the Empire (whether the vehicles be for Government purposes or for ordinary commercial purposes), and for the use or sale of the invention in vehicles so built. Accordingly, royalty would not be called for in respect of the inclusion of the patented suspension in such vehicles. 4. The countries in which patent rights are concerned, in addition to Great Britain, are as follows : — Canada .. .. .. .. Patent No. 270/852. Australia . . .. .. .. Patent No. 3739/26. New Zealand . . . . . . . . Patent No. 57161. Union of South Africa . . . . Patent No. 759/26. South West Africa .. . . . . Patent No. 62. Southern Rhodesia .. .. .. Patent No. 2040. India.. .. .. .. .. Patent No. 12522/26. Gold Coast Colony .. . . . . Registration No. 12. Nigeria . . . . . . .. Registration No. 6. Kenya Colony . . . . .. Certificate No. 125. Northern Rhodesia . . . . . . Patent- No. 94. Egypt .. . . . . . . Registered. 5. If any six-wheelers with the patented suspension should be constructed in New Zealand, it would appear to be desirable that the company undertaking the construction should notify the War Office of their action, so that a direct authorization or license for the use of the patent under royalty-free conditions may be issued by the War Office to each company concerned, and also that arrangements may be made, where practicable, for marking the vehicles with the appropriate patent

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number. It is not necessary, however, that any company wishing to make use of the permission specified in paragraph 3 above should delay incorporating the invention until the direct authorization referred to above is received, or the arrangements for marking decided, as the construction and sale of the six-wheelers could proceed in advance thereof. 6. The Army Council would be glad if this information could be communicated to any companies to which it might be of interest. The method adopted by the War Office for notifying vehicle-manufacturers in this country has been to communicate with certain manufacturers in England and Scotland known to be concerned, and to write to the Society of Motor-manufacturers, London. 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.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (450 copies), £22 10a.

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