H.—33

20

units are telegraphed to the Hon. the Minister of Defence when the next-of-kin of the soldier concerned resides in New Zealand. The War Office has also arranged for similar procedure with regard to officers' casualties. Inquiries concerning Soldiers. A great number of inquiries are dealt with by the Department both by cable and by letter, regarding the location, condition, and whereabouts of soldiers serving in the Now Zealand, Imperial, and also the Australian Forces, and the Inquiry Bureau at Wellington in particular addresses frequent cables to this Office on the subject. Every inquiry received is dealt with most carefully and the fullest and most recent information obtained, and in many cases where the subject is a sick or wounded soldier located either in this country or in France a report is obtained direct from the medical officer in charge of the hospital in which the patient is an inmate. It will be, realized that these inquiries entail a very great increase in the detail work of the Department, but the consolation to relatives quite justifies this extra attention. Purchase and Distribution of Gifts to Soldiers. The Department has from time to time been specially requested by various patriotic societies, and by private donors in the Dominion and elsewhere, to purchase or distribute gifts to soldiers, and in cases where it has been practicable this has been done. 1 contemplate despatching from time to time to all New-Zealanders serving in Imperial units, below the rank of Ist Lieutenant, whose addresses are known, parcels of comforts to be provided out of Comforts Fund, so that they may feel that New Zealand has not forgotten them. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, 1 may state that for myself the past year, like the two preceding years of war, has been a most strenuous period. I have found the work demands practically every possible moment. During the period of which I speak there have been carried out negotiations in regard to the acquirement by the British Government of cheese and wool exported by the Dominion, and the renewal of the moat contract. As chairman of the New Zealand War Contingent Association I have taken a great interest in its operations. I have been most ably assisted in this work by a band of devoted and self-denying men and women. It would, as they are so numerous, be invidious to single out any for special mention, but I take this opportunity of most heartily thanking them all. The association, as is well known, is concerned with the welfare of our sick and wounded in this country. It has erected recreation-rooms at Brookonhurst (canteen and club), Codford (canteen and club), New Zealand Engineers (canteen and club), Salisbury (canteen and club), Hornchurch (canteen and club), Walton (club), Oatlands (club), Russell Square (residential club), 11 Southampton Row (club and canteen), and it has an army of visitors constantly making the round of the hospitals. In August last a great want was met by the establishment of the New Zealand Soldiers' Club and Hostel in Russell Square. No institution provided for our soldiers has been more successful. I have made a practice of visiting our hospitals and camps whenever possible, and seeing either personally or by deputy all our sick and wounded lads. lam hoping that the pressure will ease to an extent and thus allow me to pay our troops more frequent visits, a duty which 1 consider imperative on the representative of the Dominion during these critical times. I may add that, whilst it is the opinion of General Richardson as well as my own that the principal and outstanding work of the New Zealand War Contingent Association is that in connection with the hostels and canteens,' it would be impossible to overestimate all the other good work that has been done. In a word, we have endeavoured in every way to think out that which was best for the soldier—to try to remove temptations from his path and give him pleasant and comfortable associations, and to have him cared for in every way possible, and the return we are receiving from our men is of the most gratifying description. It is to me a great pleasure to report that the conduct of our lads in this country has been of the highest order, and that wherever they go they are welcomed, and that the kindness that has been extended to them by the people of the Old Country we can never sufficiently repay. The men have justified all this by the high standard of their conduct and living, and wherever the New-Zealander goes he is welcomed as a gentleman and as a soldier. It is impossible in this brief account to enumerate all the good work that has been done, but it is necessary to refer to the great kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Knight in giving their Convalescent Home at Brighton free of charge to our officers. ij The report of the association will, it is hoped, soon be ready for the annual meeting, which takes place next month, when fuller particulars will be sent out to the Dominion. i it was a great pleasure to this Office to welcome the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable W. F. Massey, and the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Ward, Bart. I desire to thank them for their many kindnesses and their unvarying courtesies. Their visit must result in good. Produce and Trade. Beyond keeping our produce well before the public, owing -to the great shortage of meat and dairy and other produce, it is futile just now to push our goods, inasmuch as it would be impossible to supply more buyers were they desirous of purchasing. As soon, however, as the war shows signs of drawing to a close very active work must be at once taken in hand. It is expected that after the war is over extremely keen competition will take place, when it will be necessary to push our Dominion's interest with great knowledge and vigilance.