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a.-a, i9ii, No. 147.

■■~■■ ■ No. 60. New Zealand, No. 11. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th January, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Crewe's despatch, No. 249, of the 28th October, 1910, transmitting copies of the report of the Committee on distressed Colonial and Indian subjects, and to inform you, in reply, that arrangements have already been made by my Government for the High Commissioner in London to send back to New Zealand such distressed NewZealanders who have not the means of getting back or cannot obtain employment in Great Britain, when the circumstances justify such steps being taken. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies. * No. 61. New Zealand, No. 12. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th January, 1911. In°reply to Lord Crewe's despatch, No. 256, of the 31st October, 1910, on the subject of the resurvey of Rangitoto Channel, Auckland, I have the honour to inform you that a copy of tjie despatch was sent to the Auckland Harbour Board, which is making the necessary arrangements in the direction of supplying any further labour and stores required by the surveying officers for the erection of marks, &c. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies. No. 62. New Zealand, No. 14. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 3rd February, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you copy of a memorandum, dated the 24th January, 1911, concerning the rumours which are current with reference to the proposal to transfer the headquarters of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific from Suva to Sydney. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C, &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1911. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and, regarding the rumours which are current to the effect that it is proposed to transfer the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific to Sydney and for the future that city should be his headquarters instead of Suva, begs to state that he will be glad if His Excellency will represent to the British Government that if any such proposal is contemplated it will give rise to a very strong feeling of indignation throughout the Dominion of New Zealand. Sir Joseph Ward can hardly assume that such a step is in any way under consideration, but the statement is persistently made, and he takes this opportunity of recording his opinion on behalf of New Zealand. Moreover, if such a thing is under consideration, the Prime Minister would, in any case, ask that action should be deferred until an opportunity is afforded of his discussing it with the Imperial Government, J. G. Ward.