A.-l

5

3. Classification of articles: —Every care is taken to give sufficient details without burdening the jeturn unduly. The order in which goods are stated approximates to that shown in the detailed import and export returns of the Board of Trade. 4. Classification of Articles in groups. There would be no objection to embodying a return for imports similar to that shown in the Statistics of the Board of Trade 1906, Summary No. 2, but it is considered desirable that this should be done simultaneously by Canada, Australia and New Zealand. So far as New Zealand is concerned there is a return already in the Annual Volume of Statistics (see 1906 page 302), which shows a summary of imports in groups of principal articles, but the grouping does not accord with the order adopted by the Board of Trade. The New Zealand Government would be glad to aid in the assimilation of returns with those of the United Kingdom, but is reluctant to make changes unless the principal British Possessions act s multaneously, because changes of classification or of order when adopted hinder comparison with returns of previous years. (sgd) J. G. Waed, Prime Minister.

No. 11. No. 51. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 3rd July 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge your predecessor's despatch, No. 56, of the Bth April last, on the subject of the proposal to establish reciprocity between the several parts of the British Empire in matters connected with the examination and authorization of Surveyors. 2. In response to Lord Elgin's request, I enclose herewith two copies of the Examination Regulations for Surveyors under " The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors and Board of Examiners Act, 1900." 3. These Regulations contain the subjects in which a candidate for the position of a Surveyor is examined by. the Surveyors Board. 4. I am also forwarding copies (in duplicate) of the examination papers used in last September's examination. I have etc., The Right Honble PLUNKET, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. Governor.

No. 12. No. 52. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 4th July 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge your predecessor's despatch, No. 59, a.-2, 1909, of the 11th April last, on the subject of the attaching of individual members of the No - 7 - Imperial Yeomanry to Colonial Mounted Forces and vice versa. 2. My Ministers inform me in reply that the Government of this Dominion concur in the proposed alterations to the Army Act and state -that the necessary steps will be taken to introduce the requisite amendments to the Defence Acts to Parliament during the present Session. I have etc., The Right Honble PLUNKET, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. Governor.

No. 13. No. 54. My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 11th July 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge your predecessor's despatch, No. 37, A.-2,1909, of the 11th March last, on the subject of the attestation of documents to be used in No - 4 - New Zealand. 2. Act 54-55 Vict. Cap. 50 is not in force in this Dominion and there is no provision in the law of New Zealand corresponding to Section 2 of that Act. 3. My Prime Minister informs me that an amendment of the New Zealand law • will be made in order to accord with the Imperial Act. I have etc., The Right Honble PLUNKET, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. Governor.