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steamers calling Australia en route to New Zealand must load as much cargo from Australia as possible. This direction does not include meat, but will prejudicially affect the general-cargo space which the Dominion has reasonably expected to be available for its products. At the present time there is great congestion, and it seems unreasonable that there should be any encroachment by Australia, particularly in view of the fact that a number of steamers discharge at Dominion ports en route to Australia which are not available to take any New 'Zealand general cargo. The carrying-out of these directions will materially penalize Dominion's interests, and I shall be greatly obliged if you will look into the whole matter and advise whether any modification can be made. It is urged that where first-priority cargo is waiting shipment in New Zealand to fill uninsulated space in steamers allotted to the Dominion this space should be reserved for New Zealand shippers and should not be encroached upon in Australia. I would suggest that you see the instructions on the subject which have been issued by the Imperial Government to Australia and New Zealand. From Right Hon. the Prime Minister, London, to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 30th April, 1917. With reference to your telegram 28th April: Personal interview with Controller; assurance has been given that he will do anything possible see New Zealand gets fair share of uninsulated space available. From Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Melbourne, to Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington. 21st May, 1917. Great uncertainty here future shipping-space for freights other than wheat. Queensland only allowed export beef, hinds; no meat other States available. Queensland freezing-works glutted; some closed, others closing this month. Impracticable to obtain detailed holdings. Meat sundries, none; shipping butter export prohibited present; shippers expect embargo lifted shortly. Queensland butter stocks 1,000 tons, cheese 200 tons, mostly required home consumption; other States short. In addition regular shipping lines Australian troopships have carried large quantities produce. —Mac Donald. Copy of Letter from the High Commissioner for New 'Zealand to Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. Sir,— 30th May, 1917. I have the honour to attach, for your information, copy of a communication which has been received from the Colonial Office relative to the procedure to be adopted in connection with the requisitioning of ships registered in the United Kingdom and the British overseas dominions. The communication referred to is a telegram which has been sent by the Colonial Office to the Governors of the self-governing dominions, and will, no doubt, be of considerable interest in the event of a copy not already having reached you. I have, &c, T Mackenzie. From Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor of New 'Zealand. 19th May, 1917. Question of procedure to be adopted in connection with requisitioning ships registered United Kingdom and British overseas dominions having been raised by Canadian Government, following are suggested as principles which should govern method of exercising requisitioning authority as between His Majesty's Government and dominion Governments :— (1.) Requisitioning authority should be regarded as vested in and only be exercised on behalf of Government of that part of Empire in which vessel's port of registry situated, ports in colonies not possessing responsible Government being treated as United Kingdom ports. (2.) When vessel is in territorial waters of part, of Empire other than that in which port of registry situated requisition will as matter of form and subject to reservation in next clause be served through machinery of Government of part of Empire in whose waters ship may be at the time. a (3.) Where vessel registered United Kingdom is engaged coastal trade in a dominion or trade between two dominions, or other employment stated by dominion Governments to be vital, His Majesty's Government will consult dominion Government before requisitioning, and dominion Government will consult His Majesty's Government in converse case of vessel registered dominion, similarly situated. In last resort wishes of Government in whose country vessel registered will prevail. To facilitate matters suggested that dominion Governments should supply list of ships registered United Kingdom which are engaged their vital trades, and notify changes from time to time. His Majesty's Government would furnish similar information to dominion Governments as regards ships registered dominions. Hoped that your Government will concur in these, principles. To prevent attempts at evading possible requisition His Majesty's Government are taking steps to prevent during war transfer of registry of vessel from port in United Kingdom. Similar telegram sent to other self-governing dominions. —Long. From Hon. the Acting Prime Minister, Wellington, to High Commissioner for New Zealand. 21st May, 1917. With reference to my telegram of I6th May: Government are extremely anxious to have a reply for conference on this matter which meets to-morrow. Position with regard to perishable

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