A.—4a

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

I.—Correspondence relating to the Summoning of the Conference.

r—« From or to whom. Dominion, ' &o. Date. Subject. Pag, 1909. The Governor New Zealand, Telegram. (Rec. Mar. 22.) States that Government of New Zealand offer .one battleship, and, if necessary, two battleships, of the latest type. To the Governor . . New Zealand, Telegram. March 22 Requests that Prime Minister may be assured that the generous and spontaneous offer of battleships made on behalf of New Zealand has been received by the Secretary of State with the highest appreciation, and will at once be laid before His Majesty's Government. Ditto.. New Zealand, Telegram. March 24 Expresses the feelings of appreciation and ; gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer of a battleship ; states that provision for the coming financial year is adequate, but that His Majesty's Government most gratefully accept the offer for following years, and at an early date will confer with the New Zealand Government as to the "time when it may become appropriate to give effect to their proposal. Ditto.. New Zealand, Telegram. March 24 States that the King has commanded that his gratitude and high appreciation for fine patriotism and generosity shown in the magnificent offer should be conveyed to New Zealand. The Governor New Zealand, Telegram. (Rec. Mar. 28.) States that he is desired by the Prime Minister to convey to the King New Zealand's deep sense of gratitude for his gracious message and generous recognition of offer of battleship to the Mother Country. Ditto.. New Zealand, Telegram. (Rec. Mar. 28.) States that Government and people of New Zealand are much gratified by the acceptance of their offer, and will await the explanatory despatch of his Majesty's Government as to the kind of contribution that will best promote the end which the Dominion has in view. The Acting Governor New South Wales, Telegram. (Rec. Apr. 4.) States that if the Commonwealth Parliament resolves to make the offer of a Dreadnought, the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria have agreed to contribute proportionately to the cost, but that if the Commonwealth does not adopt this course, New South Wales and Victoria will share the cost of a Dreadnought on a •per capita basis. •