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On the Ist February next all British passports held by British subjects who are in the United Kingdom which were issued prior to the sth August last will become invalid. Holders of such passports must make application for new passports in the proper form, which can be obtained from the Foreign Office and the usual agencies. Full particulars as to the new requirements will be found on the form. Passports issued prior to the sth August last and held by British subjects in France (including Algiers and Morocco), Spain, Portugal. Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Swedeii will become invalid on the Ist March next. Applications for new passports in such cases must be made to the nearest British Consul. In other countries the date on which such passports will become invalid will be the Ist August. Passports issued between the sth August, 1914, and the Ist February, 1915, will be valid for two years only, but if the holders contemplate proceeding to France or Belgium they must previously obtain a supplementary document and visa from a French or Belgian diplomatic or consular officer. On and after the Ist February no British subject will be allowed to leave the United Kingdom for France or Belgium without a passport valid in accordance with these regulations. Foreign Office, 19th January, 1915.

No. 83. New Zealand, Honours. My Lord, — Downing Street, 22nd January, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 213, of the 3rd December, reporting the death of Professor John Shand, C.M.G. This intelligence, which 1 have received with much regret, has been noted in the records of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 84. New Zealand, No. 44. My Lord, — Downing Street, 2nd February, 1915. With reference to my despatch, No. 32, of the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to acquaint Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, that the following notice regarding British passports, dated the 27th January, has been issued from the Foreign Office : — " The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gives notice that on and after the Ist February next the fee for British passports will be ss. Such passports will be valid for two years, and will be renewable on application in the proper form for four further periods of two years each. The fee payable for each renewal will be 25." I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 85. New Zealand, No. 45. My Lord, — Downing Street, 4th February, 1915. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 163, of the 26th September, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the National Health Insurance Commission state that they note with pleasure the general acceptance of the proposed new scheme for the collection of employers' contributions due under the National Insurance Acts in respect of seamen who neither are domiciled nor have places of residence in the United Kingdom or who hold certificates of exemption.

A.-l, 1915. No. 67.