13

A.—4a

No. 29. NEW ZEALAND. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 8.30 a.m., 20th May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 36.] Your telegram of 17th May.* My Government fully recognise importance of Conference; efforts being made to meet His Majesty's Government's request; sending reply by telegram as soon as possible. —Plunket.

No. 30. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNORS. (Sent 12.22 p.m., 21 May, 1909.) Telegram. (1. Transvaal.) (3. Orange River Colony.) (2. The Cape of Good Hope.) (4. Natal.) 21 May, No. 1. Your telegram [1. 10 May] [2. 12 May] [3. 13 May] [4. 14 MayJ.t Please express to your Ministers satisfaction with which His Majesty's Government learn that Colony will be represented at Defence Conference.— Crewe.

No. 31. AUSTRALIA. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 2.29 p.m., June 4, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 34.] Confidential. Government of Commonwealth of Australia take earliest opportunity after assuming office to inform Prime Minister, as President of Imperial Conference, that will shortly submit to Parliament their proposals for defence of Commonwealth and its coasts. They now beg to offer to the Empire an Australian Dreadnought, or such addition to its naval strength as may be determined after consultation with Naval and Military Conference in London, at which it will be represented. This offer will be communicated to Parliament immediately it reassembles. —Dudley.

No. 32. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 5 June, 1909.) My Lord, — Government House, Cape Town, 11th May, 1909. . I communicated to the Prime Minister your Lordship's telegram of 30th April, 19094 on the subject of the proposed Defence Conference. 2. The Prime Minister was at Bloemfontein, attending the South African National Convention, and informed me that he would consult the other Prime Ministers present at the Convention on the subject of Mr. Asquith's proposals. The Convention has, as your Lordship is aware, come to an agreement. The amended draft of the South Africa Act has been unanimously signed and the prospect of its passing the South African Parliaments seems favourable.

*No. 27. fNos. 18, 21, 23, and 26. } No. 11.