H.—27b,

No. 12.—Victoria. Governor Lord Brassey to Mr. Chamberlain. (Telegram received 9.50 a.m., 27th September, 1899.) [Answered by No. 17.] In the event of united Australian force being formed for service in South Africa, what arm or arms should it consist of ?

No. 13.—New Zealand. Governor the Earl of Ranfurly to Mr. Chamberlain. (Extract from telegram received 7.32 p.m., 28th September, 1899.) [Answered by No. 14.] Resolution passed by large majority House of Representatives with great enthusiasm that offer to Imperial Government for service in Transvaal contingent mounted rifles; that, in the event of offer being accepted, my Government is empowered, after selection by Commander Forces, to provide, equip, despatch forces. Two full companies mounted, fully equipped, delivered direct wherever desired at short notice. Transport and pay defrayed by New Zealand; Imperial Government to provide supplies on arrival.

No. 14.—New Zealand. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor the Earl of Ranfurly. (Telegram sent 1.40 p.m., 29th September, 1899.) Your telegram of 28th September (No. 13) : Her Majesty's Government highly appreciate and are grateful for loyal and patriotic offer of Legislature of New 7 Zealand, of which they will gladly avail themselves should occasion arise, as to which you will be advised as soon as possible.

No. 15.—Queensland. Mr. Chambeblain to Lieutenant-Governor Sir S. W. Griffith. (Telegram sent 4.15 p.m., 3rd October, 1899. [Answered by No. 27.] Refebring to your telegram of 22nd September (No. 11), Secretary of State for War and Com-mander-in-Chief highly appreciate signal exhibition of patriotic spirit of people of Queensland; desire that mounted infantry offered by colony be organized in two companies, 125 men each, armed with -303 rifles or carbines, with their own horses, but rifles or carbines can be supplied if necessary by Imperial Government. Not more than one captain and three subalterns each company. Officer not higher than major may command whole force. Troops to be disembarked at port of landing, South Africa, fully equipped, at cost of Colonial Government. From date of disembarkation force is to be treated as intregal portion of Imperial forces. After that date Imperial Government will provide pay at Imperial rates, supplies, and ammunition, and defray expenses of transport back to colony, and pay wound pensions and compassionate allowances at Imperial rates. Troops to embark not later than 31st October, proceeding direct to Capetown for orders.

No. 16.—New Zealand. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor the Earl of Ranfurly. (Telegram sent 4.35 p.m., 3rd October, 1899.) [Answered by No. 25.] Referring to my telegram of 29th September (No. 14), Secretary of State for War and Com-mander-in-Chief highly appreciate signal exhibition of patriotic spirit of people of New Zealand; desire that mounted infantry offered by colony be organized in two companies, 100 men each, armed with -303 rifles or carbines, fully equipped, and with their own horses, but rifles or carbines can be supplied by Imperial Government if necessary. Not more than one captain and three subalterns each company. Officer not higher than major may command whole force. From date of disembarkation, South Africa, force is to be treated as integral portion of Imperial forces. After that date Imperial Government will provide pay at Imperial rates, supplies, and ammunition, and defray expenses of transport back to colony, and pay wound pensions and compassionate allowances at Imperial rates. Secretary of State for War notes generous offer from Government New Zealand furnish pay in addition to transport, but thinks that .above-mentioned conditions should be applied to all colonial forces. Troops to embark not later than 31st October, proceeding direct to Capetown for orders.

No. 17. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor Lord Tennyson (South Australia), Governor Earl Beauchamp (New South Wales), and Governor Lord Brassey (Victoria). (Telegram sent 4.40 p.m., 3rd October, 1899.) [Answered by Nos. 36, 58, and 47 respectively.] Secretary of State for War and Commander-in-Chief desire to express high appreciation of signal exhibition of patriotic spirit of people of South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria in offers to serve in South Africa, and to furnish following information to assist organization of force offered into units suitable for military requirements: Firstly, units should consist of about 125 men; secondly, may be infantry, mounted infantry, or cavalry; in view of numbers already available, infantry most, cavalry least, serviceable; thirdly, all should be armed with - 303 rifles or carbines, which can be supplied by Imperial Government if necessary; fourthly, all must provide own equipment, and mounted troops own horses ; fifthly, not more than one captain and three subalterns

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