A.—2

18

As one of the British Government delegates indicated in the course of the debate at the Conference itself, H.M. Government did not disagree generally with the principles set out in the text which the Conference was asked to adopt. They could not help feeling, however, that it was too much to hope that the long recommendation adopted, which was necessarily of so vague and general a character, could be of much practical utility. Since that time H.M. Government have given further consideration to the terms of the recommendation, but have found no reason to modify their view. For many years successive British Governments have shown great interest in every question affecting the well-being of the workers, and have expressed this interest in a concrete form as opportunity offered by a steady development of legislative and administrative action regarding the various subjects with which the recommendation deals. At the same time many of these questions necessarily have to be considered not merely from the standpoint of the utilization of workers' leisure, but from the wider standpoint of the public health and general welfare and needs of the community. A certain amount, of information as to the progress made by Great Britain in this connection has already been supplied to the International Labour Office. H.M. Government will at all times be glad to supply further information regarding the undoubtedly advanced British legislation and practice in matters concerning the utilization of the workers' spare time. They feel, however, that the terms of the recommendation adopted have justified the anticipation of the British Government delegates that the necessarily brief consideration given by the Conference to the many important questions involved could not be sufficiently thorough to affect the conclusions arrived at by H.M. Government after many years' study of those questions. In general, they do not find in the recommendation any new suggestions as to either policy or administrative procedure which they consider it desirable to adopt. There is one part of the recommendation to which H.M. Government think it desirable to refer specifically. In Part I, subparagraph (a), it is recommended " that each member, whilst having due regard to the requirements of different industries, local customs, and the varying capacities and habits of the different kinds of workers, should consider the means of so arranging the working-day as to make the periods of spare time as continuous as possible." If it is to be understood that the object of this recommendation is to promote arrangements for a working-day unbroken by any substantial interval for dinner, H.M. Government are advised that such, an arrangement would not, generally speaking, be conducive to the health and welfare of the workers and ought not to be encouraged ; in any case they are of opinion that (subject to the observance of any conditions imposed by the Factories Acts for the protection of the health of women and young persons) the adjustment of the hours of the working-day is a matter which should be left to the employers and workers in the different industries and localities to settle for themselves, and that any Government intervention would be undesirable. June, 1925.

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 131. Sir, — Dominions Office, Downing Street, S.W. 1, 20th July, 1925. With reference to previous correspondence regarding the contribution from Imperial funds towards the cost of maintenance of the Observatory at Apia, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have had this matter under consideration in connection with the estimates for 1926-27, and have expressed the hope that, in view of the improved financial situation in the Dominion, the New Zealand Government may now see their way to relieve His Majesty's Government of at least a moiety of their present contribution of £800 per annum. 2. I shall be glad if the point may receive the early attention of your Ministers, and if their reply could be conveyed by telegraph in order that it may be communicated to His Majesty's Treasury before the estimates for the next financial year are settled. 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.

No. 21. New Zealand, Dominions No. 350. Sir, — Dominions Office, Downing Street, 12th August, 1925. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a statement, issued by the Colonial Office, on the present scheme of restricting the exports of rubber from Ceylon and Malaya. J 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,