A.—2,

20

Enclosure. [Translation.] N. 823. A. 49. Sir, — Italian Embassy, London, 9th March, 1929. According to the provisions of Article 20, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the existing Italian Customs regulations of 13th February, 1896, No. 65, the embarkation of provisions and articles of foreign origin on yachts flying a foreign flag is subject to the payment of the relative Customs duty. On the other hand, the taking on board of the said goods on ships of a foreign flag for use on board can be freely effected, provided the ships belong to States which accord identical treatment to Italian vessels of the same class. The Italian Ministry of Finance are desirous of learning whether British yachts are entitled to the facilities laid down in the above-mentioned regulations. In accordance with this desire I have, therefore, the honour to request that Your Excellency may by so good as to inform me what treatment the competent authorities in Great Britain, the Dominions, British colonies, and dependencies a.ccord or would accord in Customs matters to yachts under the Italian flag if they called at the ports of such territories and there proposed to embark provisions and equipment of foreign origin, and in particular whether such provisions and equipment would be subject to the payment of the relative Customs duty even if they were embarked exclusively for use on board and would be consumed either in the port or in the course of the succeeding voyage or fitted on the vessel. Thanking Your Excellency in anticipation for the information which you may kindly supply to me on the subject. I have, &c., A. C. Bordonaro. The Right Honourable Sir Austen Chamberlain, K.G., M.P., &c.

No. 27. New Zealand, Dominions No. 171. Sir, — Downing Street, 23rd April, 1929. I have the honour to state, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, that arrangements have been made for the disposal of the surplus stock of the " Bulletin of Empire Study " which was issued under the direction of the Department of Overseas Trade at the time of the British Empire Exhibition of 1924 and 1925. 2. Sets of the Bulletin will be supplied to educational authorities or institutions in any part of the Empire who may wish to have them, at a nominal rate (estimated at approximately one guinea for a hundred sets) to cover costs of sorting, packing, and transport. 3. I should accordingly be glad if, should no objection be seen, this offer could be brought to the notice of the educational authorities interested. Applications should be addressed direct to the Comptroller-General, Department of Overseas Trade, 34 Old Queen Street, London S.W. 1. 4. A specimen set of the Bulletin is enclosed. I have, &c., L. S. AMEBY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., L.L.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

No. 28. New Zealand, Dominions No. 189. Sir. — Downing Street, 6th May, 1929. I have the honour to transmit, for the information of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand, the accompanying copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking and of a note from the Chinese Charge d'Affaires regarding the request of the Chinese Government that saplings of trees representative of the countries of friendly governments should be presented for planting at the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. 2. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom propose to accede to this request and the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is being consulted as to the kinds of trees to be sent.