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Vogel, Commissioner of Customs, to the Agent-General for New Zealand_ in December last, which has been transmitted to me by my Government as setting forth its views on the question. It is probable that this document has already been submitted to the Colonial Office by the Agent-General, through whose medium the question was apparently brought before my Government some time before my receipt of any communication respecting it. I have, &c, W. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. The Commissioner of Customs to the Agent-General. g IE) Government Buildings, Wellington, 20th December, 1886. I have the honour, by the request of the Premier, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th October respecting the Board of Trade Journal and subjects connected therewith. As these subjects mostly concern the departments within my charge I reply to your letter. 1. I most cordially approve of the objects and purposes of the Trade Journal, and the desire to include within its range of subjects information concerning the colonies. 2. I some time since noticed the steps taken, at the instigation of Lord Eosebery, to obtain accurate information concerning foreign countries from Consular authorities. I feel certain that the reports thus obtained will be of great interest to persons residing in the colonies, as colonial trade largely extends beyond the limits of Her Majesty's dominions. I understand the_ Board of Trade purposes to summarise these reports, and I recognise the great service that will thus be rendered by popularising them. There is nevertheless the danger of obscuring their full bearing by the condensation which the limits of the Trade Journal will necessitate, and I venture to suggest that the reports in full be printed by the Board of Trade, with other similar periodical reports of the colonies (probably subjected to condensation in the journal itself), and be circulated in supplemental volumes. • 3. I notice that the Hon. Mr. Stanhope refers to the journal as " affording early information respecting contemplated changes in Customs tariffs," and Mr. Giffen does the same, substituting the word "contemplated" for "proposed." I hope that this intention is not a deeply-rooted one, and that I may be excused for saying that I think, if persevered in, it will greatly militate against the purposes of the journal. Governments rarely, if ever, authoritatively announce changes in the Customs tariff until they propose them to the Legislature with a view to immediate effect. But there is always in nearly every country a controversy proceeding about changes in the tariff. Sometimes the discussion takes a practical sometimes a doctrinaire shape; sometimes it awakes much interest, sometimes only a few concern themselves with it. But, in any case, I submit that a journal the aim of which should be to deal with facts rather than controversy would make a mistake if it concerned itself with changes not matured but merely foreshadowed ._ Impressions or rumours would gather force in such a journal, and lead to disturbances of business, besides the danger of leading the journal into discussions of subjects concerning which there is much difference of 5. I observe that you see a difficulty in determining the exact nature of the information wanted. I share the same opinion. When Lord Eosebery was first appealed to he asked that some gentlemen connected with the Board of Trade should confer with his department regarding the details of the publication. I cannot help thinking that what was desirable in the case of two departments in such close contiguity will be found even more necessary with the distant places from which information is sought. The value of the journal will, to say the least, be greatly increased if the information it contains is framed upon such a uniform basis as will enable comparisons to be drawn between different localities. I doubt this being possible unless the editor or sub-editor of the journal visits the various colonies personally, and agrees in each case, with the officers to whom the several Governments propose to allot the task of furnishing information, what shall be its shape and nature. I strongly advise this course. The same gentleman would arrange about the circulation of the journal, and his expenses would thereby be to some extent covered. It is to be remembered that to make the journal highly useful a good circulation must be secured for it. I hope I have not exceeded the intended limits of criticism and observation. You can furnish the Colonial Office a copy of this letter if you see no objection to doing so. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Voqel.

No. 20. (No. 30.) SlB) _l Dunedin, 14th March, 1887. With reference to paragraph 3 of Mr. Stanhope's circular of the 17th of November last, I have 'the honour to forward copies of memoranda from the Agricultural Department in reply to the question asked by Mr. Morris, of Kew Gardens, in his letter of the 14th of August, 1886, respecting the fruits grown in this colony. I have, &c, fo W. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1887, Sess. 11., No. 2.