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No. 11. New Zealand, No. 84. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th April, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 67, of the Ist February, enclosing copies of a circular issued by the Board of Trade amending the regulations relating to the examination in the United Kingdom of masters and mates in the mercantile marine. 2. In a minute addressed to the Prime Minister on this subject the Minister of Marine states that a copy of the circular referred to was recently received by the Marine Department from the Board of Trade direct, and the question as to whether any action should be taken in this Dominion was then considered. It was found that the New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act does not give any power to grant temporary certificates of the nature mentioned in the circular, and it was therefore decided that nothing could be done in the way of issuing them. The Minister of Marine adds that he does not think the matter is of sufficient importance to necessitate an amendment of the Act being proposed. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &o, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1917 No. 20.

No. 12. New Zealand, No. 85. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 15th April, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of. the 7th February, No. 86, forwarding copy of a letter from the Ministry of Munitions covering a copy of a circular letter respecting inventions and research which is being issued to educational institutions. 2. My Prime Minister informs me that it is intended to send a copy of the circular to the four University colleges and to the technical schools in the principal cities of New Zealand, on the assumption that this course would be in accordance with the wishes of the Ministry of Munitions. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1917 No. 21.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 93. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th May, 1916. I have the honour to enclose copy of a letter which I have addressed to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, relative to the appointment by my Government of a special Commissioner to the United States of America in connection with the kauri-gum industry of New Zealand. 2. I have addressed similar communications to the British Consuls-General at New York and San Francisco. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &o, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 14. ~ . New Zealand, No. 94. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 4th May, 1916. With reference to your despatch, No. 151, of the 2nd March, relative to the exportation of certain articles from the United Kingdom, and suggesting that my Ministers should adopt a measure of prohibition similar to that adopted