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1892. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

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

No. 1. (No. 39.) My Lokd— Wellington, 30th May, 1891. On the Ist of April last the Premier of Victoria transmitted to the Premier of New Zealand a copy of certain correspondence which took place in the years 1889 and 1890 in reference to the admission of officers of the colonial naval forces on board Her Majesty's ships for instruction, among which is contained a communication from Admiral Lord Charles Scott, dated the 28th January, 1890, signifying the approval by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to certain arrangements with the view of carrying out the wishes of the Victorian Government. Although this Government has not at present any naval officers on active service, they are desirous of knowing whether, in case the time should arrive when they would wish to avail themselves of these privileges, they will be accorded to this colony as well as to Victoria. I have therefore to request your Lordship to cause me to be informed on this point. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

Enclosure 1. The Premier to His Excellency the Governor. Premier's Office, Wellington, 29th May, 1891. The Premier begs to submit for His Excellency's perusal correspondence from the Premie* of Victoria on the subject of the admission of officers of the colonial naval forces on board Her Majesty's ships for instruction, with correspondence between the Agents-General of Victoria and New Zealand on the same subject. The Premier also forwards copy of a letter he has this day addressed to the Agent-General, and, with a view to future probabilities, respectfully recommends that the matter may be brought under the notice of the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. P. A. Buckley, (For the Premier.)

Sub-enclosure 1. The Premier, Victoria, to the Premier, New Zealand. Sir, — Premier's Office, Melbourne, Ist April, 1890. I have the honour to transmit herewith, for your information, the accompanying copy of certain correspondence which has taken place between this Government and the Imperial naval authorities respecting a proposal by the late Minister of Defence, Sir James Lorimer, that officers of the local forces should be allowed to exchange places temporarily with officers of the Imperial fleet for the purpose of gaining experience and instruction. Sir James Lorimer pointed out (vide his memorandum of the 25th July, 1889) the "great importance that the officers of our Permanent Naval Force should be given opportunities of gaining greater experience and fuller instruction than is possible to be obtained in a small local force, confined, as ours is, to harbour defence." 2. It will be observed from the letter of Eear-Admiral Lord Charles Scott, dated the 28th January, 1890, that, while the Admiralty do not approve of the exchange of officers of the Imperial and local forces, their Lordships have so far acceded to the proposal as to consent to officers of I—A. 1.