A.—2.

Enclosure. Sir — Admiralty, 13th January, 1919. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that arrangements have been made by the Allied representatives in the Mediterranean for certain Austrian vessels handed over to the Allied Governments to fly at the stern the house flag of the Allied Maritime Transport Council. This is a white rectangular flag with a blue central horizontal stripe one-third the breadth of the flag. It will ordinarily be issued in the following sizes: 12 ft. by 8 ft. for ships over 4,000 tons; 9 ft. by 6 ft. for ships from 1,000 to 4,000 tons; 6 ft. by 4ft. for ships under 1,000 tons. The vessels in question will fly at the masthead the flag of the nation entrusted with the management of the vessel, and the law applicable to the vessel will be that of the State whose flag is at the masthead. I am to request that this information may be promulgated as may be thought necessary. I am, &c, J. W. S, Anderson. The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 23. My Lord,— Downing Street, 17th February, 1919. With reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 96, of the 27th June, 1918, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa respecting the amalgamation of the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee, under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science," and the appointment of a committee of that Board under the style of " The Research Grant Board." I have, &c, MILNER. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, P.C, G.C.M.G, G.B.E, M.V.O, &c.

Enclosure. South Africa, No. 901. Sir, — Governor-General's Office, Pretoria, sth December, 1918, With reference to my despatch, No. 338, of the sth May, 1917, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a minute from my Ministers regarding the amalgamation of the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee, under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science," and the appointment of a committee of that Board under the style of " The Research Grant Board." 2. I should be glad if the request contained in the minute could be communicated to the proper quarters, as in the case of Ministers' minute of the 2nd May, 1917, No. 642. I have, &c, Buxton, Governor-General. The Right Hon. Walter H. Long, M.P, &o. Colonial Office, London. Minute No. 1844. Prime Minister's Office, Pretoria, 27th November, 1918. Ministers have the honour to inform His Excellency the Governor-General that the Industrial Advisory Board and the Scientific and Technical Committee have been amalgamated under the title of " The Advisory Board of Industry and Science." Ministers further have the honour to inform His Excellency that a committee of the abovementioned amalgamated Board, under the style of "The Research Grant Board," has been established to advise on research in universities and cognate matters, and it is desired that notification of the amalgamation and of the formation of the Research Grant Board be conveyed to His Majesty's Government and to the Governments of His Majesty's Dominions. Ministers have the honour to request that notification of the amalgamation and of the formation of the Research Grant Board be conveyed to the various Governments, and that they be asked to furnish copies of all blue-books and documents and information on research organization, methods, and results obtained, for the information of the Board. F. S. Malan,

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