21

A.—l

subject of the treatment in ports of the Empire of British and foreign vessels which are provided only with provisional loadJine certificates issued in British oversea ports. 2. Ministers inform me that the Government of this Dominion have no objection to the adoption by the Imperial Government of the proposed policy as a temporary measure, and they mention at the same time that the proposed course would obviate the necessity of vessels holding such certificates issued in New Zealand obtaining fresh certificates on arrival in Great Britain. 3. Ministers add that it is proposed to adopt the same policy in the case of vessels arriving in New Zealand which hold such certificates issued at ports in Great Britain and the self-governing dominions and possessions. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Walter 11. Long, M.P., Governor-General. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, L9lB, Nil. 25.

No. 26. New Zealand, No. 195. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, Ist August, 1917. With reference to my despatch, No. 169, of the sth July, with which I forwarded copies of the Speech I delivered at the opening of Parliament, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Address in Reply from the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives respectively. 1 have, &c, I TVER FOOL, The Right Hon. Walter 11. Long, M.P., Governor-General. Secretary of State for the Colonies. Enclosure. Address from the Legislative Council. To His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— We, His Majesty's most; dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Council of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our thanks to Your Excellency for the Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses. We desire to assure Your Excellency that the matters therein contained shall receive our most careful consideration, and we join with. Your Excellency in trusting that Divine Providence may U'uide our deliberations to the advantage of our Sovereign, of his Empire, and of this Dominion. Address prom the House of Representatives. To His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George,, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Representatives of the people of •New Zealand in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our thanks to Your Excellency for the Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses. We desire to assure Your Excellency that the matters therein contained shall receive our most careful consideration, and we join with Your Excellency in trusting that Divine Providence may guide our deliberations to the advantage of our Sovereign, of his Empire, and of this Dominion.