A.—l

31

No. 69.

New Zealand, No. 20. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th February, 1912. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 396, > of the 7th December last, transmitting copy of the conditions of the proposed service of deferred plain-language telegrams at reduced rates. My Ministers inform me that these conditions have been embodied in the Regulations of the Post and Telegraph Department of New Zealand. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1912, No. 133.

No. 70. N.ew Zealand, No. 23. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 16th February, 1912. With reference to my despatch, No. 155, of the 27th December last, informing you of the resignation from the Ministry of Sir John George Findlay, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum, dated the 13th February, which I have received from my Prime Minister, with regard to the retention of the title of " Honourable " by Sir John George Findlay. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 71. New Zealand, No. 24. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 23rd February, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 412, of the 29th December, for- 1 warding copies of treaties on the subject of pelagic sealing, I have the honour ! to report that I am informed by my Ministers that the necessary action is being taken to see that the obligation imposed by Articles 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the treaty of the 7th July is observed in this Dominion. 2. The particulars are being published in the New Zealand Gazette for general information. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1912, No. 140.

No. 72. New Zealand, No. 25. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 23rd February, 1912. Referring to your despatch, No. 370, of the 26th October, 1911, trans- 1 mitting copies of a new rule which has been made, and of circular instructions * which have been issued, on the subject of life-saving appliances on ships, I have the honour to inform you that it is proposed by my Government to make similar rules to have force in New Zealand. I have, &c , ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c., Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1912, No. 123.