65

A.—2

Table giving the State of British and German Shipping respectively after Sixteen Weeks of War.

No. 71. New Zealand, No. 549. My Lord,— Downing Street, 3rd December, 1914. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 148, of the 19th August last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter from the National Health Insurance Commission (England) on the subject of the supply of insurance stamps and cards to port authorities in New Zealand. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1915 No. 57.

Enclosure. National Health Insurance Commission (England), Sir, — Buckingham Gate, London S.W., 25th November, 1914. With reference to your letter of the Bth October, No. 37703, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, dated 19th August, 1914, No. 148, on. the subject of national health insurance stamps, I am directed by the National Health Insurance Commission (England) to state that they had not anticipated that it would be necessary for stamps and cards to be kept at ports in New Zealand other than Auckland, Lyttelton, Wellington, and Dunedin. The. Commissioners have consulted the High Commissioner for New Zealand, who is of opinion that it would be sufficient if supplies were sent to these four ports. If the Governor considers that it is desirable that they should be sent to all the ports mentioned in his despatch the Commissioners will, of course, make the necessary arrangements. Meanwhile they are arranging for stamps and cards to be sent to the four ports mentioned above. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. R. W. Harris.

9—A. 2.

Number of — Steamships of Perc ,2 n * a p - ,„ over 100 Tons ° f Tt u tal Gross Tonnage. Gross. Number. Total number \* liiMi 10 > 123 10 ° 20,523,706 i German .. 2.090 100 5,134,720 Percentage of Total Gross Tonnage. 100 100 20,523,706 5,134,720 100 100 / Captured .. .. 49 Detained in German 75 'British j P° ] ' ts < Held up m Baltic and 71 Black Sea Unavailable for i TotaL ■ 195 ] ' 9 585 ' 551 various causes', -Captured .. .. 80 j Detained in British or 166 Allied ports 'German < Se f ki fS ie }^ e m neu - 64(i i tral ports In German ports .. 329 ' Total.. .. 1,221 58'4 i 4,584,926 — :— Plymg ..British .. .. .. 98-1 ; 20.122.173 , Known to be at sea .. 10 Sh'ps over 500 tons not 125 accounted for Plying or 110 t,., ! Steam trawlers not ae- 353 accounted.for; German < a ted for Small coasters not ae- 381 counted for Total.. .. 869 41-6 549,794 1-9 585,551 2-9 58'4 i 4,584,926 89'3 98-1 ; 20.122.173 971 869 41-6 549,794 10-7