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A.—2

No. 50, New Zealand, No. 216. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th June, 1911. With reference to my despatch, No. 201, of the 15th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Ambassador at Vienna regarding the importation of food products into Austria-Hungary. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. Enclosure. Sir,— Vienna, 12th June, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular commercial despatch (21023) of Ist June dealing with the question of the importation of food products into countries in which a protective Customs tariff is in operation. 1 have issued instructions to His Majesty's consular officers to keep me fully informed of all circumstances which may have any bearing on this subject. The only restriction on the importation into the dual monarchy of food products for human consumption is, as you are doubtless aware, that made in the case of meat. The quantity of meat, whether alive or dead, which may be imported into Austria-Hungary is strictly regulated (in the interests of the Austrian and in particular of the Hungarian agrarians) by agreements between Austria and Hungary. This subject was fully dealt with in the despatches from this Embassy in the course of last year reporting on the conclusion of the new commercial treaties between Austria-Hungary and certain of the Balkan States. The only recent development of events in a contrary direction to this has been the admission into Austria-Hungary of a certain quantity of Argentine meat—a measure introduced last year (see Mr. Russell's despatch. No. 75, of 26th October, and subsequent despatches) as a means of alleviating the discontent caused amongst the middle and lower classes by the ever-rising price of meat. This measure was, however, only intended to be a temporary one, and it is probable that the importation of Argentine meat will shortly be stopped. The meat itself does not appear to have met with the approval of the population, and the agrarian agitation against the continuance of its importation will probably be successful. I understand that when certain of the Australian Ministers visited Vienna last autumn an unsuccessful endeavour was made to induce the Austro-Hungarian Government to consider the question of the importation of New Zealand meat. It seems unlikely that such a proposal would ever be adopted in view of the agrarian opposition which it would arouse, and of the fact that the Argentine meat has not been a success. The choice of the Argentine was made last year because a commercial treaty was being negotiated, and the importation of the meat was regarded as a counter-concession in return for some concession on the part of the Argentine Government. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., &c. F. L. Caetwright.

No. 51. New Zealand, No. 218. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth July, 1911. With reference to my despatch, No. 172, of the 11th May, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United Kingdom and Japan, the ratifications of which were exchanged at T.okio on the sth May, 1911. 2. I have to invite the special attention of your Ministers to Article 26 of the treaty, and to inquire whether they desire that notification of adhesion to the treaty should be given on behalf of New Zealand. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. uovernor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. Enclosure. Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United Kingdom and Japan. (Signed at London, 3rd April, 1911 ; ratifications exchanged at Tokio, sth May, 1911). His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, being desirous to strengthen the relations of amity and good understanding which happily exist between them and between their subjects, and to facilitate and extend the commercial relations between their two countries, have resolved to conclude a treaty of commerce and navigation for , that purpose, and have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say :—

Enclosure. Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United Kingdom and Japan. (Signed at London, 3rd April, 1911 ; ratifications exchanged at Tokio, sth May, 1911). His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, being desirous to strengthen the relations of amity and good understanding which happily exist between them and between their subjects, and to facilitate and extend the commercial relations between their two countries, have resolved to conclude a treaty of commerce and navigation for that purpose, and have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say : —

A.-l, 1912 No. 76.