A.—2

4

[Copy.] Extract from a Despatch, No. 2, to the Governorof the Falkland Islands, dated sti-i January, 1925. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 10.1, of the 4th November, forwarding a report by Mr. Hugh Munro on his investigations in connection with the sheep-farming industry in the Falkland Islands. 2. I have read this valuable and practical report with much interest. I desire to associate myself with your commendation of the careful and thorough manner in which Mr. Munro has discharged his mission, and I shall not fail to express appreciation of his services when forwarding copies of his report to the Government of New Zealand. * sfc * *

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 27. Sir, — Downing Street, 16th February, 1925. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir R. Stout's despatch, No. 260, of the 26th November last, and to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter that has been addressed to the President of the American Museum of Natural History regarding the application by the Whitney South Sea Expedition with respect to the taking of land-birds from the Cook Group for Museum purposes. I have, &c., J. S. AMERY, Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sir,— Downing Street, 7th February, 1925. With reference to the letter from this office of the 27th September last, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Amery to inform yon that a despatch has been received from the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand from which it appears that the Government of New Zealand regret that they cannot see their way to alter the decision previously taken in connection with the application by the Whitney South Sea Expedition with respect to the taking of land-birds from the Cook Group for Museum purposes. 2. The New Zealand Government explain that they are desirous of facilitating the work of the Expedition in every possible way, but that, as has already been pointed out, the indigenous birds extant in the Cook Group are very few in number, and the New Zealand Government believe that the interests of science are being better served by a policy of strict preservation of the living birds. I am, &c., H. F. BATTERBEE. The President, the American Museum of Natural History.

No. 7. New Zealand, Dominions No. 81. Sir, — Downing Street, 24th. February, 1925. With reference to Mr. Churchill's despatch, Dominions No. 237, of the 14th June, 1921, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked if in future he could be informed of all changes and fresh appointments of special and commercial representatives of Dominion Governments in foreign countries as and when they are made, in order that they may be promptly communicated to His Majesty's representatives abroad. I should be glad to know whether your Ministers could arrange for this procedure to be adopted in lieu of the annual return hitherto furnished in accordance with the despatch under reference. It would also be convenient, particularly in view of Resolution 4 (A) 1(i) passed at the Imperial Economic Conference, 1923, and the action taken thereon, if a similar procedure could be adopted as regards intimation of the appointment of representatives of Dominion Governments in the other self-governing Dominions and in the colonies and protectorates.