A.—4a,

12

No. 25. NEWFOUNDLAND. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 9.25 p.m., 14 May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 28.] Your telegram of 30th April.* Understand that Prime Minister expresses a desire to attend proposed Conference if Session of Parliament can be completed in time. Please inform me date proposed Conference will be opened.— MacGregor.

No. 26. NATAL. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 9 a.m., 15th May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 30.] 14th May. Natal accepts invitation of His Majesty's Government contained in your telegram of Ist Mayf to be represented in Conference on Naval and Military Defences of Empire, and my Ministers concur in proposal of Transvaal Government that members of South African Governments who go to London in connection with passage of South Africa Act should attend sittings of Defence Conference. —Nathan.

No. 27. NEW ZEALAND. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR. (Sent 1.28 p.m., 17 May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 29.] Please inform your Ministers that Governments of Commonwealth and Canada have accepted invitation to Defence Conference proposed in my telegram of 30 April,J and that Governments of South African Colonies will authorise delegates sent Home in connection with Union Bill to attend Conference. In these circumstances I earnestly hope that the Dominion of New Zealand will be represented, and that it may be possible for Sir J. Ward, as Minister of Defence and Prime Minister, to be spared from his important duties to attend the Conference. It is now proposed to hold" Conference at end of July, as that date will be convenient for the other delegates, and will, I hope, be also convenient to your Prime Minister.—Crewe.

No. 28. NEWFOUNDLAND. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR. (Sent 4.55 p.m., 19 May, 1909.) Telegram. Your telegram 14 May.§ Exact date opening Conference not fixed, butexpected to be last week July. I shall cordially welcome presence of your Premier.—Crewe..

*No. 11. t No. 12. J No. 11. § No. 25.