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Enclosures. Sin, Admiralty, 31st January, 1904. I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to forward herewith for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Conimander-in-Cliief, Australia, on the subject of the allotment yearly of a certain number of commissions as medical officers in the Royal Navy to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies. I have, &0.. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan Macgregor. Sir,— 21st January, 1904. With reference to your submission of the Bth June last (No. 175/1821), on the subject of the entry into the Royal Navy of medical men who have qualified at colonial universities, I aiu commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that they have decided to allot a certain number of commissions as medical officers to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies under the following arrangements: — 1. During the next three years Australia to be offered two commissions a year and New Zealand one in alternate years- -4.c., six for Australia and two for New Zealand during that period. 2. The candidates to be selected by the Governor-Generai of the Commonwealth and the Governor of New Zealand respectively, after consulting the Commandsr-in-Chief on the stations, on the recommendation of the University authorities 3. Candidates must be registered medical practitioners, and hold suitable certificates in both medicine and surgery granted by the Universities of Sydnej', Melbourne, or Adelaide, or the University of New Zealand. 4. The candidates are either to be nominated direct or selected after passing an examination held by the local University, according as the Governor and Admiral on the station may determine. They must also pass the physical examination referred to in clause 8 of the regulations for entry of candidates (copy enclosed). 5. The selected candidates are to be appointed provisionally only, their commissions in the Royal Navy being determined by the result of the course of training at Haslar, in which they will be expected to qualify to the satisfaction of the naval medical authorities. 2. I am to request, therefore, that you will place yourself in communication with the Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth and the Governor of New Zealand with a view to carrying this arrangement into effect forthwith. I am, &c, Evan Macqregor. The Commander-in-Chief, H.M. Ships and Vessels, Australia.

No. 30. (No. 6.) My Lord, — Downing Streel, 4th February, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act, No. 31 of 1903, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to amend ' The Military Pensions Act, 1866," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch (No. 117) of the 12th December last. I have, &c, ALFRED LYTTELTON. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 31. (No. 7.) My Loud, — Downing Street, 4th February, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Act, No. 89 of 1903, of the Legislature of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to make Better Provision

Iβ. rom ijeoi !lst January, | Admiralty (with en- Colonial Office... Allotment of commissions as medical 1904 closure) officers in the Royal Navy to qualified candidates in the Australasian Colonies.