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and the Cook Islands, if these ships are manned wholly or in part by Asiatics, unless in the case of these ships the New Zealand rate of wages is paid to the members of the crew. This is a discrimination against vessels carrying British Indian subjects of His Majesty and subjects of friendly or allied Asiatic Powers The objection which His Majesty's Government have to such discriminations have formed the subject of repeated correspondence and discussion, and it is not necessary that I should again set forth the grounds on which they rest, as I am confident that your Prime Minister fully realizes the weight of these objections. 5. I observe that one subject which is proposed for discussion at the Imperial Conference by your Government is that of the extent of the powers of Dominion Legislatures with regard to merchant shipping. I have no doubt that your Prime Minister will desire to discuss the provisions of this Bill at that Conference, and, pending that discussion, I do not propose to tender any advice to His Majesty with respect to the Bill. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

No. 119. New Zealand. —Miscellaneous. My Lord, — Downing Street, 21st January, 1911. With reference to Lord Crewe's despatch (Miscellaneous) of the 15th June, 1909, respecting the proposed armorial bearings for New Zealand, I shall be glad to be informed whether your Government have yet arrived at a decision concerning the sketch submitted by the Heralds College. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

A.-l, 1911 No. 73.

No. 120. New Zealand, No. 21. My Lord, — Downing Street, 24th January, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 149, of the Ist December, transmitting resolutions passed by various associations in New Zealand on the subject of the manufacture of opium for export to China. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

No. 121. New Zealand, No. 23. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of correspondence with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of the substitution of His Majesty's ship " Torch " for one of the third-class cruisers which are at present maintained under the naval agreement. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.