A.—2

6

regulating the conduct of the services at the Wall without prejudice to the legal rights of the Moslem owners and in such a way as to satisfy normal liturgical requirements and decencies iu matters of public worship. The Government have also instructed a senior .officer to sound both parties in a tentative manner, in order to ascertain if some such arrangement can be achieved. If satisfactory assurances are received on this point, the Palestine Government will be most ready and anxious to use their good offices to facilitate such an arrangement. His Majesty's Government, for their part, would cordially welcome any arrangement which, while enabling them to fulfil their Mandatory obligation to preserve all existing rights in connection with the Wailing Wall, would provide a solution of the question satisfactory to both parties concerned, and prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents as occurred in September last. Colonial Office, 19th November, 1928.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 249. Sib, — Downing Street, Bth December, 1928. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency the accompanying presentation set of the new coins of the Irish Free State issued under the Irish Free State Coinage Act, L 926. 2. The set has been received from His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State with the request that it may be forwarded to the Minister of Finance of New Zealand. 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. 4. New Zealand, Dominions No. 580. Sir, — Downing Street, 11th December, 1928. With reference to my telegram, Circular A, No. 59, of the 4th December, I have the honour to transmit for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 4th December, containing a Declaration of His Majesty in Council, regarding the appointment of Counsellors of State, and provision for the summoning and holding of the Privy Council, and for the transaction of other matters and things on behalf of His Majesty during the King's illness. J 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. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 4th day of December, 1928. Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. His Majesty in Council was, this day, pleased to declare that having been stricken by illness He was unable for the time being to give due attention to the affairs of the Realm, whereupon the Draft of a Commission making provision for the summoning and holding of the Privy Council and for the transaction of other matters and things on behalf of His Majesty was this day read at the Board and approved : and His Majesty was further pleased to nominate Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G., K.T., K.P., G.C.5.1., G.C.M.G., G.C.1.E., G.C.V.0., G.8.E., His Royal Highness the Duke of York, K.G., K.T., G.C.V.0., the Most Reverend Father in God Cosmo Gordon, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England, the Right Honourable Douglas McGarel, Baron Hailsham, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, and the Right Honourable Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, for the purposes therein mentioned and to declare that they should be designated under the style and title of Counsellors of State.