7

A.—l

No. 14. New Zealand, No. 150. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th August, 1915. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your predecessor's despatch, No. 199, of the 20th April, forwarding a copy of a letter from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries relative to the restrictions imposed by the various Governments of the Empire, and by the Government of New Zealand in particular, in connection with the importation of live-stock from the United Kingdom. 2. My Ministers desire me to state that the points raised in the Board's letter have received their careful attention. 3. The Government of New Zealand recognize the desirability of some common line of action, but they do not at present feel justified in concurring entirely in the course proposed by the Board, though they fully appreciate the completeness and effectiveness of the steps taken in Great Britain to stamp out the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. The freedom of New Zealand from most of the serious infections and contagious diseases affecting live-stock provides, in the opinion of my Ministers, a very strong incentive for ensuring its maintenance. 4. The proposal put forward by the Board, that the subject might with advantage be discussed at the next Imperial Conference, is considered a good one, and the Government of New Zealand accordingly concur in the suggestion. 5. The criticism offend by the Board as to the severity of New Zealand's present restrictions has been noted, and consideration is being given to the question of immediately modifying them in certain directions". The decision of the Government, when arrived at, will be notified by the High Commissioner for New Zealand to shippers of live-stock and other interested persons in the United Kingdom. T have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1915 No. 10.

No. 15. New Zealand, No. 151. '-Sir,- Government House, Wellington, 14th August, 1915. With reference to the Marquis of Ripon's despatch, " General," of the 2nd August, 1894, relative to the conditions under Which members of the Lxecutive Councils of His Majesty's Dominions may be permitted to retain the title " Honourable," 1 have the honour to recommend, at the instance of my Prime Minister, that the name of Mr. Robert Hen ton Rhodes may be submitted to His Majesty the King for the retention of the above-mentioned title. 2. On the formation of the National Government on the 6th August last Mr. Rhodes resigned the portfolios with which he was entrusted in July, 1912, and he has consequently ceased to be a member of the Executive Council of this Dominion. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 16. New Zealand, No. 154. SIR,— Government House, Wellington, 18th August, 1915 With reference to my despatch, No. 99,' dated the Bth June, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying statement of contributions by the Government and people of New Zealand to various war funds during June of this year, the total amount having been cabled to the High sioner for tin's Dominion in London in July for distribution.