67

A —2

which it was not paying out to the other partners in the cable—a position which only has to be stated in order to demonstrate its absurdity. The alternative which is suggested to get over this difficulty is hardly worth dealing with under these circumstances, but it is interesting to notice that in making his calculations Sir Henry has omitted to show that any amount is allocated out of the total charge of 3s. for transit across Canada. In setting out what amounts the partners received out of the 35., Sir Henry states that Canada receives nil because she provides no service, but in the original apportionment of the 3s. a sum of 3d. was shown for transit charges across Canada, and whether that amount is received by Canada or by some other authority which provides the service, the position is the same in that respect as it is in Australia. 5. In view of all the circumstances, the Commonwealth Government is not prepared to vary its transit and terminal rate while the present charge to the public is maintained, but should lower charges to the public be decided upon the Commonwealth will be quite agreeable to reduce its charges proportionately. Justinian Oxenham, Secretary. Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne, Ist July, 1913.

No. 75. New Zealand, No. 364. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th September, 1913. With reference to my despatch, No. 4, of the 6th January, 1912, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Order made by His Majesty in Council on the 12th of August, 1913, under section 1 (i) (5) of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 12th day of August, 1913. Present: the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas there was this day read at the Board a memorial from the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 11th of August, 1913, in the words following, viz. :— " Whereas it is provided by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that where in any self-governing dominion as defined by the said Act provision has been made (either before or after the passing of the said Act) for the application to the Naval Forces raised by the dominion of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment, the last-mentioned Act, as so amended, shall have effect as if references therein to His Majesty's Navy and His Majesty's ships included the forces and ships raised and provided by the dominion, subject, however, in the application of the last-mentioned Act, as so amended, to the forces and ships of His Majesty's Navy not raised and provided by a self-governing dominion (hereinafter called the Royal Navy) to such modifications and adaptations as may be made by His Majesty in Council for the purpose of regulating the relations of the last-mentioned forces and ships to the forces and ships raised and provided by the self-governing dominions or any of them : "And whereas it is also provided by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that the said Act now in recital shall not come into operation in relation to the forces or ships raised and provided by any self-governing dominion unless or until provision to that effect has been made in the dominion : " And whereas Your Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction the provision and maintenance of a Naval Force by the Commonwealth of Australia : " And whereas provision has been made by the Commonwealth of Australia for the application to the Naval Forces raised by the said Commonwealth of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment, and of the regulations for the government of the Royal Navy as regards disciplinary matters for the time being in force, and also for the bringing into operation in relation to the forces and ships raised and provided by the said Commonwealth of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911 : " And whereas other self-governing dominions within the meaning of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 191], may hereafter make provision for bringing the Naval Forces raised or to be hereafter raised by such dominions within the operation of the last-mentioned Act: " And whereas it is desirable in accordance with the recited power given by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that in the application of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment to the Royal Navy, the modifications and adaptations hereinafter appearing should be made for the purpose of regulating the relations of the Royal Navy to the Naval Force of the Commonwealth of Australia and to the Naval Forces of any other self-governing dominion which may hereafter make provision for the application to their Naval Forces of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 19.11, on the provisions hereof being made applicable to such dominion by Order in Council:

Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 12th day of August, 1913. Present: the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. Whereas there was this day read at the Board a memorial from the Right Hon. the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 11th of August, 1913, in the words following, viz. :— " Whereas it is provided by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that where in any self-governing dominion as defined by the said Act provision has been made (either before or after the passing of the said Act) for the application to the Naval Forces raised by the dominion of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment, the last-mentioned Act, as so amended, shall have effect as if references therein to His Majesty's Navy and His Majesty's ships included the forces and ships raised and provided by the dominion, subject, however, in the application of the last-mentioned Act, as so amended, to the forces and ships of His Majesty's Navy not raised and provided by a self-governing dominion (hereinafter called the Royal Navy) to such modifications and adaptations as may be made by His Majesty in Council for the purpose of regulating the relations of the last-mentioned forces and ships to the forces and ships raised and provided by the self-governing dominions or any of them : "And whereas it is also provided by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that the said Act now in recital shall not come into operation in relation to the forces or ships raised and provided by any self-governing dominion unless or until provision to that effect has been made in the dominion : " And whereas Your Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction the provision and maintenance of a Naval Force by the Commonwealth of Australia : " And whereas provision has been made by the Commonwealth of Australia for the application to the Naval Forces raised by the said Commonwealth of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment, and of the regulations for the government of the Royal Navy as regards disciplinary matters for the time being in force, and also for the bringing into operation in relation to the forces and ships raised and provided by the said Commonwealth of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911 : " And whereas other self-governing dominions within the meaning of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, may hereafter make provision for bringing the Naval Forces raised or to be hereafter raised by such dominions within the operation of the last-mentioned Act: " And whereas it is desirable in accordance with the recited power given by the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, that in the application of the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, as amended by any subsequent enactment to the Royal Navy, the modifications and adaptations hereinafter appearing should be made for the purpose of regulating the relations of the Royal Navy to the Naval Force of the Commonwealth of Australia and to the Naval Forces of any other self-governing dominion which may hereafter make provision for the application to their Naval Forces of the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Act, 1911, on the provisions hereof being made applicable to such dominion by Order in Council: