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No. 16. New Zealand, No. 91. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th June, 1912. I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of further resolutions, forwarded to me by my Prime Minister, from various public bodies in New Zealand, expressing sympathy in connection with the loss of the " Titanic." I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 17. New Zealand, No. 93. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th June, 1912. With reference to my telegram of the Bth June, intimating the desire of Sir Joseph G. Ward to withdraw from, the position of Representative of New Zealand on the Royal Commission on Empire Trade, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum from my Prime Minister, together with a copy of the letter addressed to him by Sir Joseph Ward, giving the last-named gentleman's reasons for desiring to withdraw from the Commission. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Enclosures. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, Bth June, 1912. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments to His Excellency, and begs to inform the Governor that he has to-day received the accompanying letter from the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, tendering his resignation from the position of New Zealand Representative on the Imperial Trade Commission. Thos. Mackenzie.

Sir,— Wellington, Bth June, 1912. I have the honour to intimate to you that I have, after careful consideration, decided to withdraw from the position of New Zealand Representative on the Imperial Trade Commission, and I shall be glad if you will so inform His Excellency the Governor, for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Commission having decided to sit first in England and next in Canada, which, upon the whole, seems to me to be wise, does, however, prevent me accepting the position without the immediate resignation of my seat as a member of Parliament. This I cannot see my way to do. When accepting the position I understood the Commission was to sit for some time in Australia and New Zealand first, and this would have permitted me for that time to have performed what I deem to be my paramount duty to my constituents. I have, &c, ' The Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington. J. G. Ward.

No 18. New Zealand, No. 94. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th June, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 83, of the 21st March, on the subject of the proposed Imperial scheme of wireless telegraphy, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Prime Minister, stating that New Zealand does not at present desire to become a party to the Imperial agreement, as it is itself erecting a long-distance station for a system other than the Marconi system.; but it desires that the agreement shall provide that in the event of New Zealand wishing to erect a station of the Marconi system within the next ten years no higher charge shall be made by the Marconi Company than that made on the Imperial Government for other stations. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1913. No. 14.

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