A.—4a

2

No. 3. NEW ZEALAND. The'SECRET AEY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR. (Sent 3.53 p.m., 24th March, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 6.] In further reply to your telegram March 22nd,* I desire you to express to Sir J. Ward and to your Government in the warmest terms the feelings of appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer so generously and patriotically made. So far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provision and powers for which sanction is being asked in the Naval Estimates now before Parliament afford ample security. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demands which may be made on the national resources in the following years, the offer of the New Zealand Government 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 His Majesty's Government. Your Government will doubtless understand tha,t it is impossible to enter into detail by telegraph, but you will receive at an early date full communications by despatch, as His Majesty's Government desire to consult with the New Zealand Government as to the time when it may become appropriate to give effect to their public-spirited proposal.—Crewe.

No. 4. NEW ZEALAND. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR. (Sent 5.10 p.m., 24 March, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 5.] I am commanded by 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.—Crewe.

No. 5. NEW ZEALAND. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10.20 a.m., 28 March, 1909.) Telegram. Your telegram of March 24th. t Am desired by Prime Minister to convey to His Majesty the King Government of New Zealand's deep sense of gratitude for gracious message and for His Majesty's generous recognition of New Zealand offer of battleship to the Mother Country. People of New Zealand pleased to evince in a tangible way their loyalty to His Majesty the King and to help to maintain strength of Empire.—Plunket.

*No. 1. t No. i.