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No. 47. New Zealand, No. 155.Mγ Lord, — Downing Street, 19th July, 1910. I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to Act No. 28 of 1909 of the Parliament of New T Zealand, entitled " The Defence Act, 1909," copies of which accompanied Lord Plunket's despatch. No. 6, of the 27th January last. 2. At the same time, the Army Council desire to point out, with reference to sections 27 and 31 of the Act, which contemplate the utilization of the services of retired officers in the Militia, that officers on retired pay are liable to be recalled to service in the Regular or Auxiliary Forces at a time of emergency, until the age of fifty, or in some cases until, the age of fifty-five. The Army Council are advised that this obligation, which would place these officers under the Army Act, would override any obligation created under the New Zealand Defence Act, and they desire that this matter should be brought to the notice of your Ministers in order to prevent any question arising in the event of a retired officer being called up for service both by the Army Council and by the Government of New Zealand. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, D.5.0., &c.

A.-l, 1911 No. 37.

No. 48. New Zealand, No. 158. My Lord, — Downing Street, 21st July, 1910. With reference to my despatch, No. 38, of the 18th February, 1909, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying translation, of such part as refers to British vessels, of an Ordinance issued by the Swedish Government with regard to the privileges accorded to ships of foreign nations in Swedish harbours. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, D.5.0., &c.

Enclosure. Ordinance by the Government and Board of Commerce concerning Privileges granted to Ships of Foreign Countries in Swedish Harbours. Given at the Castle of Stockholm, 3rd June, 19.10. The Government and Board of Commerce hereby make known that the ships of foreign countries may enjoy the undermentioned privileges in Swedish harbours. (N.B. —Questions of ships' measurements are dealt with separately.) Page 8. Great Britain and Ireland : — According to the commercial treaty of 18th March, 1826, and the Royal decree of 26th October, 1849, British ships arriving in Swedish harbours are entitled, both on entering and clearing, to the same treatment as ships of the country as regards the shipping and port dues and other expenses for Crown, municipal, or separate institutions of whatever nature soever. By the Royal decree of 15th August, 1854, so long as coasting trade may be carried on freely aud unhindered between British ports by Swedish ships, similar permission will be accorded to British, ships to trade between Swedish ports. By the Royal decree of 2nd October, 1874, so long as Swedish ships may carry on coasting trade freely and unhindered between ports of the British Dominions of Canada, Canadian vessels may carry on a similar trade between Swedish ports. The nationality of ships and cargoes arriving under the British (lag in Swedish harbours shall by the Royal letter of 23rd May, 1828, be considered as sufficiently determined by a certificate issued by the British Consul or Vice-Consul at the port of starting. Page 17. Great Britain and Ireland : — British sailing-vessels provided with a national measurement certificate made out subsequently to 30th April, 1855, are exempt from measurement in Swedish harbours ; and British steamships which, according to the terms of the notice issued by the Royal Customs administration on 11th September, 1882, containing an agreement for mutual recognition of the measurement certificates of Swedish and British vessels made out respectively in their own countries, have undergone partial remeasurement for ascertaining the deduction to be allowed for engine-space shall, in so far as the vessel is provided with the same measurement certificate unaltered as she possessed at the time of such measurement.. continue to be exempt from remeasurement.