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No. 9. New Zealand, No. 980. My Lord,— Downing Street, 11th December, 1916. In confirmation of my telegram of to-day, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that (lis Majesty has been pleased this day to entrust to my care as one of the Principal Secretaries of State the Seals of the Colonial Department. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

No. 10. New Zealand, No. 982. My Lord, — Downing Street, 14th December, 1916. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 781, of the 29th September, regarding the exportation from the United Kingdom to certain foreign countries of goods packed in textile coverings, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that, in the case of such exports to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco (other than French Morocco), it has been arranged that, general undertakings which are limited in terms to one consignor and one consignee may be given in lieu of the specific undertakings for each consignment which have hitherto been required. 2. Two forms of general undertaking, P and Q, have been prepared for signature by the consignee in the foreign country in question, or the consignor in the United Kingdom, as the case may be. When the consignor himself, either as owner of the bags or otherwise, elects to give an undertaking, Form Q is signed, and it is open to the consignor, if he thinks it desirable, to take precautions to protect himself by contract with the consignee. When the consignee gives the undertaking Form Pis signed. Copies of these forms are enclosed. 3. All general forms of undertaking, whether in respect of prohibited or non-prohibited goods, have to be lodged with the War Trade Department, in duplicate. One copy, after registration, is returned to the consignor, who must produce it to the Customs authorities when any shipment of non-prohibited goods packed in bags, wrappers, or similar coverings is made. One copy of "-" any general undertaking signed by the consignee must be attested by a British Consul. 4. I take this opportunity to state, with reference to paragraph 4 of my predecessor's despatch, No. 895, of the 10th November, that the only goods packed in textile coverings, of which the exportation from the United Kingdom to Sweden is at present being permitted, arc cotton piece-goods packed in cotton coverings. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Form P.—General Undertaking as to Packings fob Coons. (To be given by the Consignee). (This undertaking should be forwarded in duplicate to the War Trade Department, 4 Central Buildings, Westminster S.W.) To the Director of the War Trade Department. I for We] , of [Full address of consignee], in [Country of destination] (hereinafter referred to as " the country of destination "), in consideration of permission to receive from [Full name and address of the exporter in the United Kingdom] as coverings or packings for goods of any of the materials or articles mentioned in paragraph (1) hereof, do hereby undertake and agree as follows :— (1.) This undertaking relates to all or any of the following materials or articles which may be used as coverings or packings for goods hereafter consigned to me [or us] by the above-

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