H.—22

4

War Funds Act, 1915. During the year eight societies were closed, involving a transfer of £7,657 19s. Bd. to either the parent body or the National War Funds Council. This leaves eighty-nine organizations, including thirty-five incorporated societies. Excluding the funds administered by the National War Funds Council, the sum of £1,202,607 18s. 9d. is held by societies operating under the provisions of the Act, as follows : — £ s. d. Incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 952,424 4 8 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. .. 188,958 7 4 Blind Soldiers' and Veterans' Homes funds .. .. .. 29,686 7 5 Collecting and administrating societies .. .. .. 6,125 7 4 Memorial funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,036 2 0 Navy League funds .. .. .. .. .. 5,924 7 4 Returned Soldiers'Clubs and building funds .. .. .. 11,022 12 11 Social funds .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,430 9 9 £1,202,607 18 9 WBt " " '"TTTiaa —i~iiiiiigiimT Fire Brigades Act, 1908. A fire district has been constituted for the Invercargill Borough. The total number of fire districts is now thirty-seven. Regulations providing for appeals under section 8 of the amending Act of 1913 were made by Order in Council, dated 30th July, 1923, and published in the Gazette of the 2nd August, 1923. A number of amendments to the law have been suggested, and a consolidating and amending Act is in the course of preparation. Despatches. Despatches from the Secretary of State numbering 297 were dealt with. Consuls. Consular appointments as under were recognized by the Governor-General:— Argentine Republic —Humberto Bidone, Consul-General, Wellington ; Ernest Smith Baldwin, Vice-Consul, Wellington ; and James Armour Johnston, Vice-Consul, Dunedin. China —Li Kwang Heng, Consul, Wellington. Denmark —H. Sorenson, Acting Consul, Christchurch. United States of America —Edwin H. Gunsaulus, Consul-General, Wellington; and Joel C. Hudson, Vice-Consul, Wellington. Czecho-Slovakia —Emanuel Hajny, Acting-Consul-Genera], Sydney, with jurisdiction over New Zealand. Finland —Robert Burns, Hon. Vice-Consul, Auckland; and Vaino Sarelius, Hon. ViceConsul, Christchurch. Germany —Dr. Hans Busing, Consul-General, Melbourne, with jurisdiction over New Zealand. Naturalization. The British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act of 1923, which came into operation on the 13th May, 1924, and the regulations made thereunder, provide that an alien friend residing in New Zealand may apply to the Minister of Internal Affairs setting forth — (a.) His name, age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and nationality: (b.) The length of his residence in New Zealand and his desire to settle therein either permanently or for a limited period, stating such limited period (if any): (c.) A request that a certificate of naturalization may be granted to him. If the Minister is satisfied,— (a.) That the applicant has either resided within New .Zealand for a period of not less than three years, or has been in the service of the Crown in any part of His Majesty's dominions for not less than five years within the last eight years ; and (6.) That the applicant is of good character and has an adequate knowledge of the English language; and (c.) That the applicant intends, if his application is granted, to continue to reside in His Majesty's dominions, or to enter, or continue in, the service of the Crown ; and (d.) That in all other respects the applicant is a person fit to hold and exercise the rights of a British subject in New Zealand,— he may, in his absolute discretion, give or withhold the certificate as he thinks most conducive to the public good, and no appeal shall lie from his decision. The Act also applies to the Cook Islands and to Western Samoa in the same manner in all respects as if those territories were for all purposes part of New Zealand ; but the power to grant certificates of naturalization in these cases is vested in the Governor-General, and, in the case of a person resident in the Cook Islands, shall be exercised on the recommendation of the Minister for the Cook Islands, and, in the case of a person resident in Western Samoa, shall be exercised on the recommendation of the Minister of External Affairs. The Minister of Internal Affairs is required to enrol for safe custody as of record a duplicate of all certificates of naturalization issued under this Act.