A.—l.

(D.) That, in arranging for the administration of that portion of the Empire known formerly as the "South African Bepublic" and the "Orange Free State," provision should be made that duly qualified members of. the learned and skilled professions now admitted and hereafter to be admitted to practice in the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Anstralia, and in New Zealand, be allowed to practise within the newly-acquired territories referred to. (E.) That it would be an advantage to the Empire to have subsidised mail-services established as between Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Britain. The steamers carrying such mails to be British owned, and such steamers to be of such a class and so fitted that in time of war they may be armed and used as cruisers. (F.) That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if triennial conferences were held, at which questions affecting the political and commercial relations of the Mother-country and His Majesty's dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered, as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Premiers of the self-governing colonies. In case of any emergency arising, upon which a special Conference may have been deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter.

/XT 1Q x No. 82. .0M.a.3 (No. 18.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 24th March, 1902. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, No. 109), dated the 9th October, 1901, regarding the decision of the Stipendiary Magistrate at Wellington in the case of the s.s. " Waikato," I have the honour to forward you a report on this matter from the Magistrate (Dr. McArthur) before whom the case was heard. . I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Sir, — Stipendiary Magistrate's Court, Blenheim, 13th March, 1902. In reference to the accompanying correspondence, I wish to state that, according to the evidence, the " Waikato " started for her homeward voyage admittedly (by her own officers) undermanned as far as firemen were concerned. There was a distinct understanding between the firemen and the chief engineer that three men were to be promoted from trimmers to firemen. This arrangement was not carried out before the ship started on her voyage. It was then, in my opinion, found that the men to be promoted were not qualified, not only under New Zealand regulations, but under any regulations stating the qualifications of firemen. My decision or judgment was based on two grounds : — (1.) That there was a breach of contract between the officers of the vessel (the captain and chief engineer) on the one part, and the firemen engaged on the other part, inasmuch as the former (the captain and engineer) had agreed to engage three duly qualified firemen in addition to those already engaged, and failed to do so ; and (2.) That any vessel trading between New Zealand ports must conform to the requirements of " The Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Act, 1894," No. 62, section 9. I have, &c, The Under Secretary, A. McArthur, S.M. Department of Justice, Wellington.

(No. 19.) No ' 83 ' Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 26th March, 1902. At the request of my Fremier I have the honour to forward you the subjoined resolution, passed at the recent Conference at Wellington by the representatives of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce : — " Frozen Meat. "That, as the conditions for tendering and supplying frozen meat for the army in South Africa were unsuitable to New Zealand shippers, the Conference is not prepared to comment upon the action of the War Office in placing the recent contracts for frozen meat with Argentine options. The Conference respectfully request the Government to endeavour to arrange that special provision should be made in any future contracts for the inclusion of suitable New Zealand meat, and that ample notice should be given in the colony before tenders close." " Metric System. " That this Conference favours the early adoption of the metric system of weights and measures. That the Government be asked to make the teaching of the metric system and decimals compulsory subjects in all public schools. That the Conference respectfully urges the Government to take advantage of the Eremier's presence at the Coronation ceremonials to make representation to the Imperial Government in favour of the adoption of the report of the Selec-

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