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The Imperial Government was asked to detain New Zealand ships for as short a period as possible, and to in every way facilitate their return to this Dominion. The Australian Government was requested to abstain from requisitioning ships that would otherwise be available for New Zealand traffic; and in many other directions efforts have been put forth to enable our export trade to be carried on with the least possible interruption. The result of these endeavours has been that, although there is at the present time a considerable shortage of steamers, there has never at any time been a really serious interruption to the trade, and it is expected that within two or three months normal conditions in respect of freight space will have been resumed. (d.) Export of Cheese. —The action indicated in the previous paragraph has applied to some extent to the cheese industry, with the result that at no time has there been a serious interruption of the export of this commodity. (c.) The question of establishing a permanent Board of Inquiry regarding the industries and commerce of New Zealand will, it is expected, be submitted to Parliament during the coming session. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 86. Sir, — • Government House, Wellington, 14th May, 1915. With reference to your despatches, Nos. 46, of the 4th February, and 72, of the 18th February, on the subject of copyright, I have the honour to state that the Prime Minister desires that you should be informed that, as on the issue of the further Proclamation by the President of the United States of America British subjects in this country appear to be entitled to the full benefits of the United States' Copyright Acts, it is proposed to make a similar Order in Council (in the form enclosed) to the Imperial Order in this matter, providing protection within New Zealand for the unpublished works of citizens of the United States of America. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, PC, &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 89. Sir,- — Government House, Wellington, 14th May, 1915. With reference to your despatch, No. 300, of the 25th August, 19.11, on the subject of the uniformity of the law throughout the Empire with regard to patents, trade-marks, &c, I have the honour to inform you, at the request of my Prime Minister, that the New Zealand Government are giving consideration to the question of the provision of means for securing protection for new varieties of plants and similar productions. 2. The Prime Minister states that it will be readily understood that the improvement or development of plants, &c, is of great importance to this Dominion, and that the Government are anxious to do everything they can to promote efforts being made in that direction. 3. The matter does not appear to my Government to come within the present scope of the patent law, as the crossing of plants and similar operations hardly amount to invention according to the recognized meaning of that word. It does not seem to be advisable to alter or modify in any way the interpretation of the word by legislation, but possibly some extension of the law is feasible, such, for instance, as in the direction of the provision for the grant of what