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it can be received in all parts of the world. The station has been used regularly for the official wireless news service since the Ist January and for the transmission of long-distance radio-telegrams to ships since the 31st January. Owing to its world-wide range, messages can be sent from Rugby to ships at any point on the high seas, however remote ; and considerable use is being made of the new facilities thus afforded. The question of operating other services from Rugby is under consideration.

No. 15. New Zealand, Dominions No. 103. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th February, 1926. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 547, of the 24th December, 1925, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, in view of the increasing importance of preventive measures in dealing with tropical diseases, the managing committee of the Tropical Diseases Bureau have recently recommended that reference should be made in the title of the Bureau to this branch of its activities. The committee consider that the publication of the new Bulletin of Hygiene (which formed the subject of my despatch under reference) will afford a convenient opportunity for such an alteration to be made. Approval has accordingly been given for the name of the Bureau to be changed from " Hie Tropical Diseases Bureau " to " The Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases," with effect from the Ist January, 1926. I have, &c., L. 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. 16. New Zealand, Dominions No. 125. Sir, — Downing Street, 10th March, 1926. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a parliamentary question and answer of the 25th February on the subject of the independent status of the Air Force and Air Ministry. I have, &c., L. 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. (Official Report, Thursday, 25th February.) Imperial Defence.—Three Co-equal Services. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald (by private notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House before to-day's debate whether the Government have any intention of raising afresh, by inquiry or otherwise, the question of the independent status of the Air Force and Air Ministry ? The Prime Minister : I think it is essential to announce that, in accordance with the policy of successive Administrations, the Government have no intention of reopening the question of a separate Air arm and Air Ministry. We intend to pursue the organization of Imperial defence on the existing basis of three co-equal services. It is in the interests of the fighting services that controversy upon this subject should now cease. We are convinced that the way to secure the higher co-ordination in our defence machinery, indispensable to full efficiency, and, indeed, to economy, lies not in the abolition of any one of the three established arms of His Majesty's Forces, but in combined action between all three through the machinery of the Committee of Imperial Defence and the agency of the recently instituted Committee of Chiefs of Staff. We are sure that we can rely upon all concerned to devote themselves loyally and wholeheartedly to this end.

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