A.—l

8

No. 20. New Zealand, No. 197. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th September, 1925. With reference to your despatch, Dominions No. 287, of the 11th July, I have the honour to inform you that my Ministers advise me that the necessary action is being taken by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department in connection with the introduction, as from the Ist October next, of the provisions of the Universal Postal Convention of Stockholm and of the agreement concerning insured letters and boxes. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 21. New Zealand, No. 205. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd September, 1925. With reference to your despatch, No. 131, of the 20th July, regarding the contribution from Imperial funds towards the cost of maintenance of the Observatory at Apia, I have the honour to confirm my telegram of to-day's date stating that the New Zealand Government is prepared to carry on as from the Ist April, 1926, the full work of the Apia Observatory with a reduced contribution of £400 from His Majesty's Government, on the understanding that it may be necessary later to ask for an increased subsidy should the financial position of the Dominion at any time in the future necessitate that course. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

No. 22. New Zealand, No. 218. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 10th October, 1925. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Dominions No. 327, of the 31st July, transmitting copies of two notes from the United States Ambassador conveying invitations to His Majesty's Government, and the Governments of the Dominions, India, and the colonies, to participate in the Sesquicentennial Exposition to be held at Philadelphia from Ist June to 30th November, 1926. 2. My Government, whilst much appreciating the invitation to participate in the Exposition, regret that they are unable to do so. 3. Ministers state that the New Zealand Government has already committed itself to make a comprehensive display at the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, which is to be held at Dunedin, New Zealand, towards the close of this year, and which will ran until May, 1926. The exhibits to be displayed could not, in the circumstances, be shipped and made available for exhibit purposes at Philadelphia in June of the same year. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs,