31

A.—2

Entrance Examination in order to compete for permanent commissions in the Royal Engineers, provided that they are eligible in respect of age as laid down in paragraph 7 of the regulations (a copy of which is enclosed for reference), it must, however, be clearly understood that the age-limits laid down in that paragraph must in all cases be rigidly adhered to at an Army Entrance Examination, as no relaxation of these rules is permitted in this country, and any exception, however small, would be justly considered as unfair by other competitors. 2. The names of any such candidates who desire to compete at an Army Entrance Examination but may be unable, through lack of time, strictly to comply with clause 8 of the regulations should be submitted to the War Office at the earliest possible opportunity on each occasion, together with a list of the subjects which they propose to take in the examination, and these candidates should be directed to report personally to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Burlington House, immediately on arrival in the United Kingdom. 3. Should any such candidate fail to obtain such a place in the examination as would entitle him to a preference at the Royal Military Academy for the Royal Engineers, his nomination by you for other branches of the service would still hold good. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellencv the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 41. New Zealand, Dominions No. 462. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th August, 1918. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Board of Trade have had under their consideration the question of appointing, to assist their Department of Commerce and Industry, an Advisory Council, which should be thoroughly representative of the commercial and manufacturing interests of the country. It appears to the Board, however, that conditions do not yet permit of the appointment of such a Council on a permanent basis, and they have, therefore, decided to set up a provisional Council pending the appointment of a more permanent body. This provisional Council will consist in the main of the Chairman or other representatives of the various Committees appointed by the Board at various times to report on questions relating to trade after the war. 2. The Board of Trade are of opinion that it would be advantageous if the precedent of the former Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence could be followed as regards the representation of the Foreign Office, Colonial Office, India Office, and the self-governing Dominions, and they suggest that each of the self-governing Dominions should be invited to nominate a representative as a member of the Council which it is proposed to set up. I should be glad if you would inform me of the views of your Ministers on this suggestion. I have, &e, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, 8.C., G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

A.-1, 1918, No. 16.

No. 42. New Zealand, No. 178. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th September, 1918. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the usual number of bound copies of the statutes passed in the 1917-18 session of the Imperial Parliament, which are supplied for the use of your Government, have been transmitted to you by book-post. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.0., G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.