A.—2,

14

A.-l, 1900, No. 27.

and Seamen's Act, 1877," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch (No. 78) of the 14th December last. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 23. (No. 37.) My Loed, — Downing Street, 15th June, 1900. With reference to previous correspondence on the question of establishing a colonial branch of the Naval Eeserve, I have the honour to inform you that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are desirous of examining the question of the amount of pay which men joining the Colonial Reserve should receive ; and in this connection they have asked to be informed whether the contingents raised in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for service in South Africa, which are paid from Imperial army funds, draw any additional pay from colonial funds, and, if so, what amount is paid in the case of each colony to the different ranks employed. I have accordingly to request that you will be good enough to supply me with the desired information so far as the colony under your government is concerned. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly,_K.C.M.G., &c.

No. 24. (No. 40.) My Lobd, — Downing Street, 27th June, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 29) of the 2nd ultimo, enclosing a copy of a memorandum by the Prime Minister conveying his views in favour of the retention, under the Australian Commonwealth Bill, of the present right of appeal to the Privy Council. 2. I am much obliged for this expression of the views entertained by your Prime Minister. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c.

A.-l, 1901, No. 12.

No. 25. (No. 44.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 30th June, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (No. 28) of the 25th April, enclosing a memorandum by your Prime Minister on the subject of the Convention between this country and Germany regarding Samoa, and the future arrangements for the government of British islands and protectorates in the Pacific. Her Majesty's Government recognise the legitimate disappointment of New Zealand in regard to the settlement of Samoa, and the loyalty with which it has been accepted by the colony, relying on the assurance of Her Majesty's Government that the arrangement of which it formed a part was advantageous for the Empire as a whole. In regard to the island groups mentioned by Mr. Seddon, in so far as they are British possessions or protectorates, Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that the existing arrangements for the government of these islands are not such as should be permanently maintained, and they believe that it will be found desirable in the future to come to some arrangement under which the great self-governing colonies in whose interests they have been brought under British control may relieve Her Majesty's Government of responsibility for their administration. Your Government will, however,

A.-l, 1901, No. 11.