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No. 1

New Zealand, No. 8. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th January, 1928. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 593, of the 22nd November last, transmitting copies of resolutions issued by the Government of India with regard to the Customs treatment of commercial travellers' samples, I have the honour to inform you, at the instance of my Ministers, that the procedure in New Zealand in regard to travellers' samples is set forth in clause 87 of the New Zealand Customs Regulations : see page 14 of the booklet " New Zealand Customs Regulations (revised to 30th June, 1925)," three copies of which are attached. Ministers desire me to add that when samples, specimens, or other goods (the importation of which is not prohibited) are imported to be used temporarily for commercial purposes or as travellers' samples, the duty (if any) is accepted on deposit. Upon the exportation of the goods such deposit is returned either (a) at the port of arrival, or (b) at the port of re-exportation (provided that the importer notifies at the time of importation his desire that this should be arranged, specifying the final port), if the proper officer of Customs is satisfied that the goods have been duly re-exported. Identity cards are not required for commercial travellers visiting New Zealand. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 2. New Zealand, No. 19. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 3rd February, 1928. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 580, of the 14th November last, enclosing copy of a note from the Belgian Embassy asking to be furnished with certain information as to the language employed as the medium of instruction and the general organization of primary education in Native schools in the dominions and colonies. 2. My Ministers state, in reply, that apparently the only information desired by the Belgian Government is that referred to in the latter part of the note. The following are the answers presented seriatim to the questions asked : — (a) Native children in New Zealand —that is, Maori children —may attend the free public schools established for the education of English children, but at the same time there are provided in areas inhabited principally by the Maoris special schools attended for the most part only by Natives. These schools are manned principally by white teachers. The cost is defrayed entirely by the Government. The Native schools form an essential part of the education system of the Dominion. (b) Though the majority of Maori children receive education of only primary-school standard, many pass the highest class —that is, Standard VI —and thus qualify for free secondary or technical education. Maori children are admitted on the same footing as English children to both secondary and technical schools and also to the University. Vocational instruction is given not only in the Government technical schools but also in private institutions established and managed by Church authorities. (c) English is the only language employed in Maori schools. In Samoa and in the Cook Islands, where the education system is under the control of the New Zealand Government, the Native tongue is to some extent taught, English being reserved for the more advanced classes It has to be remembered, however, that in these islands the Natives greatly outnumber the British, whereas in New Zealand the reverse is the case.