A.—l.

No. 19. (No. 14.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 18th March, 1897. In reply to your circular despatch of the 14th November last, relating to the retention of the title of " Honourable " by members of the Legislative Council of this colony, I have the honour to inform you that it is the wish of Ministers here that the privilege mentioned in that despatch should be accorded to gentlemen who hereafter, by resignation or by absence, vacate their seats in the Legislative Council after ten years' continuous service. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, . Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 25.

No. 20. (No. 17.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 27th March, 1897. In reply to the despatch of the 2nd October last, addressed to His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow by the Earl of Selbourne for you, requesting that there should be obtained a report as to the working of the clauses in the Acts of this colony relating to employers' liability which forbids contracting out, but provide that, in determining the amount of compensation, allowance is to be made for the contribution of the employers to an insurance or compensation fund, I have the honour to state that I have obtained from Ministers here a report from the Secretary of the Department of Labour, which report is here enclosed. I have also to state that the Prime Minister expresses his opinion that the Acts in force here relating to employers' liability are on the whole working satisfactorily. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1897, No. 21.

Enclosure. Sic, — Department of Labour, Wellington, 23rd March, 1897. I have the honour to report as follows concerning the information asked for of His Excellency by the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The sections of the New Zealand Acts referred to are attached herewith, viz. : Section 69 of "The Coal-mines Act, 1891," and sections 6 and 9 of " The Employers' Liability Act Amendment Act, 1891." Few cases have of late years been tried under the Employers' Liability Acts, and of these no cases hinged upon the sections in question. The Employers' Liability Acts appear to work well, and to afford that necessary protection to workmen which they were intended to do. Efforts have been made by a certain accident insurance company in New Zealand to induce employers to insure their workmen against accident and themselves against all liability under the Employers' Liability Acts; the premiums being deducted from the workmen's wages, and consent being made a condition of employment. This the Government has successfully endeavoured to prevent. i have, &c, Edw. Tbegeab, The Hon. the Premier. Secretary, Department of Labour.

No. 21. (No. 18.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 25th April, 1897. I have the honour to forward herewith a synopsis of the Acts passed at the first session of the thirteenth Parliament of New Zealand, held in April, 1897, with copies of the said Acts. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

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