17

A.—2

The Secretary of State has on several other occasions received representations from various Colonial authorities, and particularly from the Government of Canada, to the effect that very strong objections are entertained in His Majesty's Dominions beyond the Seas to any public or official encouragement or assistance being given to the emigration of persons guilty of offences against the law in this country. Mr. Gladstone therefore desires to take this opportunity of bringing before you the views of the Colonial Governments and of saying that in his opinion no public official encouragement should be given contrary to these views to the emigration of persons guilty of offences. I am etc., C. E. Teoup.

No. 32. New Zealand, No. 203. My Lord, Downing Street, 9th December, 1908. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that the Board of Trade are desirous of obtaining information as to the practice of Colonial Customs Authorities in regard to the refund of Customs Duties paid on goods which do not enter into consumption in the country into which they are imported, but which for some reason are reshipped. 2. I shall, therefore, be glad if your Ministers will be so good as to furnish me with a memorandum as to the practice observed in New Zealand as regards the following points : — (1) What facilities are accorded to importers to examine a consignment of imported goods while they are under Customs control and before duty has been paid. (2) In the event of its being decided as the result of such examination to reexport the whole or a portion of a consignment, is Customs duty exacted on goods which are thus re-exported without leaving the control of the Customs Authorities. (3) In what circumstances is duty which has been paid refunded in respect of goods which have been cleared through the Customs and afterwards re-exported in consequence of the refusal of the consignee to accept delivery or for some other reason. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 33. No. 212. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that His* Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with Act No. 220 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to enable the Supreme Court to give Declaratory Judgments or Orders," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November last. I have etc., CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

A.-], 1909, No. 23.

No. 34. No. 213. My Lord, Downing Street, 22nd December, 1908. I have the honour to inform you thatfHis Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect[]to the Local and Personal Act No. 1 of 1908 of the Parliament of New Zealand, entitled " An Act to reverse the Conviction of John James Meikle on a Charge of Sheep-stealing," a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 81, of the 3rd of November. I have, &c, CREWE. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand. 3—A, 2.

A.-l, 1900. No. 23.