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3. It would. Sir Joseph Ward thinks, be inadvisable for ex-officers and ex-noncommissioned officers of the imperial Army to emigrate to New Zealand with the sole idea of obtaining military employment. J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. Ex-Service Men emigrated to New Zealand. Sir, — 11th November, 1910. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th August, No. 3070, and beg to thank you for transmitting therewith copies of correspondence relative to certain proposals made by the Naval and Military League on the matter of ex-service men entering the New Zealand service, particularly with regards to the emigration of officers and others. In reply, I have to inform you that, as already pointed out in a letter addressed to you on the 11th January last, nothing can be done by the New Zealand Government in the way of offering assistance to the ex-service men who have retired from the army and navy towards passages unless they can comply with the conditions in respect to having experience in regard to agricultural matters. I have also to point out that free grants of land could not be given, and that men of the class referred to coming to the Dominion to settle could not be given preference over other men in making application for Crown land. They would be eligible to make application for any Crown land that may be open for selection at the time of arrival, and would be given the same chance to obtain land as other applicants. It may be stated in conclusion that the terms and conditions under which Crown land may be selected have been made so easy that the absence of free land-grants should not be any drawback to persons desiring to settle in New Zealand. I have, &c., J. G. Ward, Prime Minister. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London S.W.

No. 64. New Zealand, No. 11. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 18th January, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 375, of the 3rd .November last, 1 have the honour to transmit to you, in compliance with your request, three copies of the regulations under the Convention between Great Britain and France relative to the exchange of money-orders between France and New Zealand. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Eight Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 65. New Zealand, No. 12. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 18th January, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 346, of the 6th October last, on the subject of Naval Eeserves, I have the honour to inform you that in a minute received by me from my Ministers it is stated that the question of reserving lands at places which are likely to develop into future naval and military establishments will have due consideration by my Government. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt 4 P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

1 A.-2, 1912 ;> NO. 100.

No. 66. New Zealand, No. 13. Sir, — Government Bouse, Wellington, 19th January, 1912. Referring to your despatch, No. 223, of the 7th July last, on the subject of Act No. 10 of 1909 of the Parliament of New Zealand, I have the honour tc inform you that, in compliance with the request contained in the second paragraph of your despatch, the amendment required to give effect to the provisions of section 20 of the Finance Act of 1894 (Imperial) has been embodied in section 7 of the Death Duties Amendment Act, 1911, of the Parliament of New Zealand, a copy of which is enclosed. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.