A.—2.

16

signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon shall have any force or authority within the Colony of New Zealand until the Governor of the said Colony shall signify, either by speech or message to the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the said Colony, or by Proclamation, that such Bill has been laid before His Majesty in Council and that His Majesty has been pleased to assent to the same : And whereas by a Proclamation dated the 9th September, 1907, His late Majesty King Edward VII was graciously pleased to change the style and designation of " the Colony of New Zealand " to " the Dominion of New Zealand " : And whereas a certain Bill of 1928 (No. 58) passed by the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives of the said Dominion, entitled " An Act to adopt Part II of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914 (Imperial), to make certain Provisions relating to British Nationality and the Status of Aliens in New Zealand, and also to make Special Provisions with respect to the Naturalization of Persons resident in Western Samoa," was presented to the Governor-General of the said Dominion for His Majesty's assent: And whereas the said Bill was reserved by the said Governor-General for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure thereon : And whereas the said Bill so reserved as aforesaid has been laid before the Counsellors of State at a meeting of His Majesty's Privy Council, held by them on behalf of His Majesty, and it is expedient that the said Bill should be assented to by His Majesty : Now, therefore, Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and the Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, being authorized thereto by His Majesty's said Commission, do hereby, by and with the advice of His Majesty's Privy Council, on His Majesty's behalf, declare His Majesty's assent to the said Bill. Colin Smith.

No. 20. New Zealand, Dominions No. 89. Sir,— Downing Street, 25th February, 1929. I have the honour to transmit the accompanying copy of a note from the Mexican Legation, requesting to be furnished with information as to methods employed in the various parts of the Empire for dealing witli forest fires. 2. I. should be glad to learn what reply His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would wish to be returned to the Mexican Legation so far as New Zealand is concerned. 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., See.

Enclosure. No. 64 (L. 587/587/405). Monsieur le Ministre, — Mexican Legation, London, 25th January, 1929. Under instructions from my Government, I have the honour to ask if Your Excellency will be so good as to obtain, for use by the Mexican Department of Agriculture, information concerning— The methods followed in the various portions of the British Empire for the detection of forest fires. The organization of such services as may be in charge of forest-preservation. How far and how do farmers and neighbouring villagers co-operate with the authorities in the work of forest-preservation. The equipment used by fire squadrons and fire-extinguishing methods. Amounts of money spent by the various Governments in such services and participation of forests-owners in those expenses. Rules concerning compulsory personal services by private individuals in case of forest fires. With many thanks for Your Excellency's kind intermediary in the matter, I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, Monsieur le Ministre, the assurance of my highest and most distinguished consideration. S. Martinez de Alva, Mexican Charge d'Affaires ad. int. His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., M.P., &c.