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A.-l

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 31. Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 25th February, 1916. With reference to your despatch, No. 1, of the 3rd January, on the subject of the exportation of diamonds from the United Kingdom, I have the honour to inform you that, as suggested, instructions will be issued by my Ministers to ensure that any diamonds reaching New Zealand from the United Kingdom under the seals of the Diamond Export Committee will be passed without examination. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 37. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 26th February, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 671, of the 2nd December, forwarding copies of a Supplement to the London Gazette of the 30th November last, containing an Order in Council of the same date amending the Defence of the Realm (Consolidated) Regulations, 1914, and relating to the issue of passports and permits. 2. My Ministers inform me that the necessary action was taken on receipt of your telegram of the 24th November last, a notice being published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 2nd December (page 3951). A copy of the Gazette is enclosed for convenience of reference. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 6. New Zealand, No. 51. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 14th March, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 710, i of the 15th December, enclosing copy of a letter from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries inquiring whether my Government will accept a certificate of examination of nursery stock in the form accepted by the United States Government. 2. My Ministers advise me, in reply, that, in view of the assurance that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has arranged for the inspection of nurseries in Great Britain, and of the desire of His Majesty's Government to avoid the multiplication of forms during the war, the Government of New Zealand will accept the certificate in the form suggested by the Board. I have, &o, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. A. Bonar Law, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1917. No. 12.

No. 7. New Zealand, No. 61. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th March, 1916. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 25, L of the 12th January, on the subject of exempting His Majesty's ships and vessels employed in the service of the Crown from the payment of dues in British ports outside the United Kingdom.

A.-2, 1917, No. 15.