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The British Resident Commissioner lately made urgent representations on the subject to his French, colleague, pointing out that the French citizens concerned are by their action contravening the Convention of 1906, and defying the established authority in the islands. He added that he believed many of the offenders had been heavily fined, but had not paid the fines imposed. Monsieur Colonna admitted that this was the case, and that lie had imposed in several cases as heavy fines as the Convention allowed, but that the fines had not been paid or recovered, as the Executive had failed to levy distress for their recovery. He allowed that the representations of the British Resident Commissioner were justified, and promised to communicate with the French Government on the subject. The British Resident Commissioner further expresses the opinion that unless exceptional measures are taken by the French Government the evil will increase. On the 12th November, 1907, I had the honour to express to Your Excellency the hope that the Commission which had then recently been appointed by the Governor of New Caledonia to consider the best means of prohibiting the export of " trade gin " to the New Hebrides Islands for sale to the Natives would include in the scope of its work the question of the exportation of arms and ammunition to the islands. In view of the present urgency of dealing effectively with the question of liquor and ammunition, I should be much obliged if Your Excellency could inform me of the result of the Commission of 1907, and whether any action has been taken by the French Government in the direction desired by His Majesty's Government. I have, &c, For Sir E. Grey. His Excellency Monsieur Cambon, &c.

No. 23. New Zealand, No. 106. My Lord,— Downing Street, 19th May, 1910. I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that I have had under my consideration, in consultation with the Board of Trade, the Bill introduced into the last session of the Parliament of New Zealand by Mr. McLaren to amend the law with respect to accidents at sea. 2. In case the Bill may be reintroduced during the ensuing session of the Dominion Parliament, the Board of Trade" desire to say that they are of opinion that, in so far as it applies to ships on the high seas, the legislation proposed goes beyond resolution No. 9, passed unanimously by the Colonial Merchant Shipping Conference of 1907. Your Ministers will remember that the effect of that resolution is that the vessels to which the conditions imposed by the law of New Zealand are applicable shoixld be— (a) Vessels registered in the Dominion, or trading therein ; and (b) vessels, wherever registered, while trading on the coasts of the Dominion. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, G.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

A.-l, 1911 No. 28.

No. 24. New Zealand, No. 110. My Lord,— Downing Street, 27th May, 1910. With reference to my despatch, No. 160, of the 16th August, 1909, I have the honour to state, for the information of your Ministers, that the Governments of Canada, of the Commonwealth and of the the States of Australia, of New Zealand, and of the South African Colonies have agreed in principle that a Conference of Surveyors-General should be held to discuss the question of reciprocity in the authorization and examination of surveyors throughout the Empire. 2. In view of the establishment of the Union of South Africa, it has been decided that the meeting of the Conference should be delayed until the Government of the Union of South Africa has come into existence, and has had time to consider the question ; and the Surveyors' Institution accordingly suggest that the Conference should be held at the institution during the week beginning Monday, the 24th October next. I trust that this time will prove convenient to your Government, and that representatives will be sent. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, G.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.