H.—6o

1900.. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FOR THE NEW ZEALAND MOUNTED BUSHMEN FUND AT THE OFFICE OF THE AGENT-GENERAL, LONDON.

Laid before both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave. — ■ —-*

Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sib,— Bth August, 1900. In January last, at a meeting held at the Bank of New South Wales, it was decided to establish a fund in England for the purpose of supporting the Australasian Governments in their efforts to recruit an Australasian Bushmen Contingent for service in South Africa, and, after corresponding with you on the subject, by cable, you expressed your opinion that New-Zealanders should contribute to a separate fund, as New Zealand was raising a separate corps and was not working with Australia. The committee of the Australasian Bushmen Contingent Fund was informed accordingly; but they continued to name their fund as Australasian, and to retain the names of those specially interested in New Zealand on the list of gentlemen forming the committee. On the 22nd February last a letter was addressed by the committee to this office proposing that I should pool the New Zealand fund with the general fund, and then participate pro rata with the other colonies in the amount of the joint fund. In reply I stated that it was not within my power to adopt the proposal, and I took the opportunity of urging that New Zealand had claims on the Australasian fund, notwithstanding that a separate fund was being raised on behalf of that colony. After some further correspondence the committee decided to pay out of the Australasian fund the sum of £200 towards the expenses of the New Zealand Contingent, and this amount has'been received and paid into the Public Account, bringing up the amount raised through this office for the New Zealand Bushmen Contingent to £2,442 10s. 6d. I attach a copy of the correspondence. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. P. Beeves.

Deab Sib, — 17, Tokenhouse Yard, London, E.C., 22nd February, 1900. At a meeting of the general committee of this fund held on Monday last it was decided to at once remit to the Governor of New South Wales a first instalment of £10,000, to be apportioned against the Australian Colonies that have enlisted bushmen for service in South Africa pro rata to the number of men despatched from each colony. » Some discussion arose as to the position of New Zealand in relation to the fund, and much regret was expressed at the withdrawal of that colony from participating in the general undertaking. It was pointed out that, immediately on the withdrawal, it was arranged and publicly announced that subscribers might if they so wished allocate their contributions towards the expenses of the contingent raised in any particular colony, and that had any sums received been so allocated in favour of New Zealand the money would of course have been held at the disposal of the AgentGeneral for that colony. Up to the time of the meeting, however, none of the subscriptions received had been designated as on behalf of any particular colony. Eventually the accompanying resolution was passed, which I was directed to forward for the information of the Agent-General, and I shall therefore feel obliged if you will kindly take an early opportunity of bringing it under his notice. I am, &c, Walter Kennaway, Esq., C.M.G. E. C. Hitchings, Hon. Secretary.

Copy of a Resolution passed at a General Committee Meeting of the above held on Monday, 19th February, 1900. " That a letter be written to the Agent-General for New Zealand referring to the withdrawal of New Zealand from the Australasian Bushmen Contingent Fund, and suggesting that if he will pool his fund with the general fund, New Zealand will participate pro raid with the other colonies in proportion to the number of men in the Bushmen's Contingent despatched from that colony."