A—2,

Enclosure. [Translation.] Monsieur le Ministry,— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santiago, 18th January, 1927. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of note No. 95 from your Legation, dated 10th November last, in which you state that you are instructed by your Government to ask the Chilean Government if they are disposed to consider a reduction in the Consular fees charged on invoices for the importation of stud sheep from New Zealand to Chile, fees which in the opinion of the New Zealand Government are an obstacle to the exportation of sheep to Chile, and which appear to be unwise, as they restrict the improvement of the Chilean flocks and the consequent enrichment of the country. 1 regret to have to inform Your Excellency in reply that it is not in the power of this Department to modify the provision complained of by the New Zealand Government, since it is embodied in the law which establishes the Consular Tariff of Chile. I avail myself, &c., Jorge Matte. His Excellency Sir Thomas B. Holder.

No. 17. New Zealand, Dominions No. 183. Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd March, 1927. I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that one of His Majesty's Consular Officers in France has recently raised a question regarding the issue of certificats de coutum,e to British subjects desirous of marrying in France in accordance with French law, in order to meet the prescriptions of that law. These requirements of French marriage law amount to an assurance that, in the case of foreigners marrying in France, they are entitled, if over the age of twenty-one, to marry without any other person's consent, and that the publication of banns is not required by the law of the country to which they belong. Such certificates have in the past been issued by His Majesty's Consular Officers in France, in the case of British subjects marrying in that country, in a form which states that, according to English law, the consent of parents or others is unnecessary where the British subject concerned has attained the age of twentyone years, and that publication of banns in the United Kingdom is not required. This form of certificate is, however, obviously unsatisfactory for general use, being inapplicable in the case of all British subjects domiciled elsewhere than in England. It appears desirable that, if possible, a standard form of certificate should be adopted for issue in the case of British subjects generally, in whatever part of His Majesty's Dominions they may be domiciled, and the enclosed form of certificate has been drafted for this purpose. I shall be glad to learn whether in the opinion of your Ministers this form of certificate would accurately represent the position so far as concerns New Zealand, and whether any objection is seen to the general use of this form in future cases. 1 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. The British Consul at certifies that, according to the laws in force in the various parts of the British Empire, a British subject who lias reached the age of twenty-one years is of age and consequently is capable of contracting a marriage without the consent of bis father or mother or of any other person, and that the publication of banns in any part of the British Empire is not required in the case of a marriage of a British subject celebrated abroad by the laws in force in any part of the British Empire. He certifies further that, according to the documents which have been submitted, born on ,at , comes under the rule above indicated .... Delivered, &c.

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