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A 7-2

No. 3. New Zealand, Dominions No. 700. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th December, 1918. With reference to my telegram of the 15th January regarding the fitting of ships with " Otter " gear, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the initial installation of " Otter " apparatus has now been suspended, but that repairs and replacements to the gear are to continue until further notice. 2. The attention of British shipowners has been drawn by the Shipping Controller to the importance of the proper upkeep of the " Otter " gear, and they have been informed that they will be paid at the rate of £1 per month in respect of ships certified by the local " Otter " officer as having the gear in a satisfactory condition. I have, &o, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P. 0., G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1919, No. 5.

No. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 702. My Lord, — Downing Street, 9th December, 1918. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 638, of the 6th November, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that Joint Standing Industrial Councils have now been set up for the following industries, viz. : Bobbin and shuttle making, made-up leather goods, metallic bedstead, sawmilling. I have, &c, "WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C., G.C.M.G., G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

No. 5. New Zealand, Dominions No. 713. My Lord, — Dowing Street, 13th December, 1918. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 397, of the 26th July, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Government of the Nyasaland Protectorate, which is not included in the Postal Union, has imposed a war-tax of Id. on all letters and post-cards posted in the protectorate for delivery in other parts of the world. Letters and post-cards addressed to any member of His Majesty's Naval or Military Forces on active service will be exempt from these charges. 2. The Nyasaland Government have at the same time reduced the unit of weight for letters delivered within the Empire from 1 oz. to \ oz, and have also revised the unit of weight for other postal matter as follows : — Newspapers : The initial rate of Id. for 2 oz. remains unchanged, but for each successive 2 oz. the rate is reduced from Id. to Sample packets : The minimum charge of 2d. is abolished. The new rate is Id. for 2 oz. and Id. for each additional 2 oz, the maximum weight being increased for 12 oz. to 5 lb. Commercial papers : The new rate is for packets not exceeding 4oz, 3d. for packets not exceeding 6oz, with Id. for each additional 2 oz. 3. These new rates took effect as from the 16th September, 1918. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.0., &c.

A.-1, 1919, No. 7.