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Despatch from the Right Hon. the Pbimb Minister, Wellington, to His Excellency* the Goveenoe, Woodville. g-flwn o&a; Wellington, 22nd March, 1909. ?Rw The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and desires that the following cable be sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies—begins : " The New Zealand Government offers to defray the cost of the immediate building and arming by the British Government of one first-class battleship of the latest type, and if subsequent events show it to be necesssary, will also provide the cost of a second warship of the same type." (Signed) J. G. Wabd. Despatch from the Right Hon. the Peime Ministee, Wellington, to His Excellency the Goveenoe, Woodville. Wellington, 22nd March, 1909. I feel sure that in sending telegram re Government's offer of a battleship, Your Excellency will be pleased to know that upon the proposal being submitted by me to Cabinet, it received the unanimous endorsement of my colleagues. In advising the Home authorities, I shall be glad if Your Excellency will kindly intimate that the New Zealand Government must of course obtain ratification of Parliament, and such legislation as may be required to make the gift effective, and that in the meantime, any advance necessary for the building of the warship will no doubt be made by the British Government, and any money which the British Government so expends before Parliament meets will be taken over as part of our contribution. (Signed) J. G. Waed. Despatch from His Excellency the Goveenoe, Kaikoura North, to the Right Hon. the Peime Ministee, Wellington. Kaikoura North, 22nd March, 1909. Have received with pride and satisfaction your telegram regarding New Zealand Government offer to Imperial Government to defray cost of battleship or battleships and have this day cabled accordingly to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Signed) Pltjnket. Despatch from the Seoeetaey of State for the Colonies, London, to His Excellency the Goveenoe, Wellington. London, 23rd March, 1909. Please hasten to assure your Prime Minister that his message has been received by me with the highest appreciation of the generous and spontaneous offer made on behalf of New Zealand. It will be at once laid before His Majesty's Government. (Signed) Ceewe. Despatch from the Seceetaby of State for the Colonies, London, to His Excellency the Goveenoe, Wellington. London, 24th March, 1909. I am commanded by His Majesty the King to inform you that His Majesty is deeply gratified by the patriotic feeling displayed by New Zealand towards Mother Country in their splendid offer, and to convey at once his gratitude and high appreciation for fine patriotism and generosity shown in the magnificent offer made so promptly and spontaneously. (Signed) Crewe. Despatch from the Seceetaby of State for the Colonies, London, to His Excellency the Governor, Wellington. London, 24th March, 1909. In further reply your telegram 22nd March, desire you to express to Sir Joseph Ward and to your Government in the warmest terms the feeling of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer so generously made. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demand which may be made on the national resources in the following year, the offer of the Government of New Zealand to bear within that period the cost of providing one first-class battleship of the latest type, and of a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to be necessary, is most gratefully accepted by His Majesty's Government. Your Government will doubtless understand that it is impossible to enter into details by telegram, but you will receive at an early date full communication by despatch, as His Majesty's Government desires to consult with the Government of New Zealand as to time it may become appropriate to give effect to their public-spirited proposal. So far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provisions and powers for which sanction is being asked in the Naval Estimates now before Parliament affords ample security. (Signed) Crewe