5

A.—i

Article 11. The modifications referred to in the preceding article shall be as follows : — Every letter from New Zealand addressed to French Oceania shall pay postage of one penny (ten centimes of a franc) for every ounce or fraction of that weight, instead of two and a half pence (twenty-five centimes of a franc) for the first ounce or fraction of that weight, and one penny halfpenny (fifteen centimes of a franc) for every additional ounce or fraction of that weight. Every letter from French Oceania addressed to New Zealand shall pay a postage of ten centimes of a franc for every twenty grammes or fraction of that weight, instead of twenty-five centimes of a franc for the first twenty grammes or fraction of that weight, and fifteen centimes of a franc for each additional twenty grammes or fraction of that weight. Article 111. The post-offices of New Zealand and French Oceania shall deliver the letters referred to in the preceding article without making any charge to the addressees, provided that such letters do not bear any indication of insufficient postage, in which case the provision contained in Article XI, paragraph 2, of the Detailed Regulations of the above-mentioned Universal Postal Convention of Borne shall be applicable. Article IV. This convention shall come into operation thirty days after the exchange of its ratifications, and shall remain in force until six months after either of the contracting parties shall have notified to the other its intention of terminating the same.

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 67. Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 23rd May, 1911. With reference to your despatch, No. 95, of the 10th March last, regarding the question of the matters to be considered at the Conference of SurveyorsGeneral, I have the honour to inform you that, with reference to paragraph 2 of such despatch, your assumption that my Government is prepared to consider favourably the question of reciprocity throughout the Empire in regard to surveyors is correct, provided that suitable arrangements can be made to enable this being done. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1911 No. 141.

. ... . No. 7. : New Zealand, No. 68. Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 23rd May, 1911. With reference to your despatch, No. 58, of the 21st February last, regarding the proposed International Conference at The Hague, on the Laws relating to Bills of Exchange and the Unification of the Laws relating to Cheques, I have the honour to transmit to you copy of a memorandum, dated the 15th May, 1911, received from my Acting Prime Minister, embodying the views of my Government in the matter. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis \. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 19) I No. 133.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 15th May, 1911. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Acting Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency the Governor, and with reference to the despatch of the 21st February, 1911, from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and covered by G.H. No. 252/11, respectfully recommends that the British Government be informed that the New Zealand Government hag no suggestions to offer in this matter, but is prepared to take into favourable consideration the question of adhering to any international agreement entered into by the British Government with a view to the unification of the law relating to cheques and other negotiable instruments The British Government should also be informed that the existing law in New Zealand on these matters is substantially identical with the law of England. ~'.., J. Cahroll, Acting Minister of Finance.