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During the existence of the Committee over £2,400,000 subscribed throughout the British Empire for the relief of our oppressed Allies in Belgium has passed through its hands. The second annual meeting will be held at the Mansion House on the 15th June, when opportunity will be taken to express gratitude to those committees and individuals who have co-operated with such marked devotion in the work of the national body. Signed on behalf of the National Committee. W. H. Dunn, Lord Mayor of London Chairman. Randatj, Cantuar. Lankdowne, Francis, Cardinal Bourne. Rosiberry. John Brown, Moderator, Church Buret:. of Scotland. Arthur Henderson. W. B. Sei.bie, President, Free John E, Redmond. Church Council. J. H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi. A. Shirley Benn, W. A. M. Goode, Hon. Treasurer. Hon. Secretary.

New Zealand, No. 80. Na 34 " My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th May, 1917. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 1, of the 3rd January, 1916, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copies of correspondence with the GovernorGeneral of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of the exportation of diamonds from the United Kingdom to Australia by letter-post. 2. I would invite attention to the suggestion referred to in the second paragraph of my despatch to the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, as to the return of letters containing diamonds which are not duly sealed. 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. Commonwealth of Australia, Governor-General's Office, Sir, — Melbourne, 22nd January, 1917. Referring to your despatch, No. 1, dated the 3rd January, 1016, relative to the export of diamonds from the United Kingdom, I have the honour to inform you that I am advised by my Prime Minister that it has come under notice that diamonds have arrived in Australia from the United Kingdom per registered-letter post, and that as the forwarding of diamonds by registered-letter or packet post is a method —difficult to combat —of avoiding the prohibition of their exportation from the United Kingdom and their importation into the Commonwealth, the matter is brought under notice for any action which may be considered suitable in the circumstances. I have, &c, R. M. Ferguson, Governor-General. The Bight lion, the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Commonwealth of Australia, No. 195. Sm, — Downing Street, 24th May, 1917. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch, No. 20, of the 22nd January, relative to the possibility that the prohibition of the exportation of diamonds from the United kingdom may be evaded through their being sent by registered post, and to request you to inform your Ministers that the question has been carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, but that it i,s thought that the only possible measure which could be taken would be the censorship of mails from the United Kingdom to all destinations, and that the risk of industrial diamonds reaching the enemy under existing arrangements does not seem sufficient to necessitate such a step. 2. I have to add, with reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 1, of the 3rd January, 1916, that all parcels and letters passed by the Diamond Export Committee bear the three seals mentioned in that despatch, and it is suggested that any letters containing diamonds which do not bear those seals should be returned to the committee, whose address is 10-12, Union Bank Buildings, Ely Place, E.C.I. I have, &0., Walter H. Bono. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Sir R. Munro Ferguson, G.C.M.G., &c.

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