H.— 27d.

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA: CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LORD ROBERTS AND THE RIGHT HON. THE PREMIER.

Laid upon the Table of the House of Bepresentatives by Leave.

Headquarters of the Army in South Africa, Pretoria, Sir,— 22nd July, 1900. I have to acknowledge the receipt of a memorandum dated Auckland, Ist May, 1900, which you submitted to the Governor of New Zealand, and which His Excellency has forwarded to me. In that memorandum you invite me and Lady Eoberts, in the most cordial manner, to visit New Zealand, and be the guests of your colony. I can assure you that if an opportunity offers we will avail ourselves of your kindness with the very greatest pleasure, and I beg that you will accept yourself, and tender to your colleagues and the people of New Zealand, our grateful thanks for your kindly proffered hospitality, which we appreciate, not only on account of the highly complimentary terms in which your proposal has been conveyed to us, but also because it has long been our desire to visit New Zealand. This desire has been materially strengthened of late by the opportunity we have had of meeting the brave and capable soldiers who have come to South Africa from New Zealand to fight for those principles of liberty and justice on which the very existence of our Empire depends. Believe me, &c, Eight Hon. Eichard Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. Eoberts.

Cablegram from Field-Marshal Lord Eoberts to Eight Hon. the Premier. Via Adelaide, 3rd September, 1900. From the bottom of my heart I thank Ministers and members of Parliament for kind telegram of good wishes to Lady Eoberts and myself. Shall always be proud of having had under my command the brave men New Zealand has sent to South Africa to fight the Empire's battles. Eoberts, South Africa. Hon. Seddon, Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand.

Congratulations to Lord Eoberts on Appointment as Commander-in-Chief, and Eeply from Lord Eoberts. Field-Marshal Lord Eoberts, Pretoria. 2nd October, 1900. Announced here you appointed Commander-in-Chief. People and Government New Zealand heartily congratulate the army. Your lifelong successful and distinguished services Empire fully entitled you to position, and Imperial authorities have done well in placing British army under your charge. Our earnest desire is that ere long you may be not only Commander-in-Chief of British Army, but also of all the military forces of Empire. Accept hearty congratulations. May you be given health and strength fill high and responsible position to which you have been called. Seddon, Premier.

Premier, Wellington. 4th October, 1900. Please accept yourself and convey to Government New Zealand my most sincere thanks for kind congratulations on my appointment as Commander-in-Chief. I heartily reciprocate your hope that office will ere long include all military forces of the Empire. Eoberts, Pretoria. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), 17s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 3d.]