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No. 31. New Zealand, No. 282. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 31st December, 1926. I have the honour to inform you that I communicated to my Ministers the contents of your despatch, Dominions No. 479, of the 26th October, and its enclosure, relating to an inquiry from the Japanese Government as to regulations respecting the payment of an entry-tax and the possession of " show money " by Japanese subjects entering the various parts of the British Empire. 2. The minute in reply to the inquiry, which Ministers have forwarded to me for transmission, is to the following effect: — (1) No entry-tax is chargeable on Japanese entering New Zealand or the Territory of Western Samoa, nor is the possession of " show money " as such, required. (2) It should, however, be explained that a foreign national desiring to enter New Zealand or Western Samoa must make application in a prescribed form for a permit to do so. The information to be supplied includes a statement as to the amount of money which the applicant undertakes to bring with him. This statement, together with the other particulars, is taken into account when the question of granting a permit is being considered. If it is decided to issue the permit, it is usually made a condition thereof that the person on his arrival will be in possession of the sum which he undertook to bring with him. (3) When a permit is granted for temporary residence to a foreign national a deposit of £10 is required, such deposit being returnable on the person's departure provided that the conditions of the permit have been complied with. (4) On the arrival of immigrants of any nationality in the Territory of Western Samoa it is within the discretion of the Collector of Customs to require from them (unless exempted by law) a deposit up to £50 each to cover any expenses which may be incurred for their maintenance and transportation from the territory. This discretion is exercisable apart from any conditions which may be stipulated in the permit to land. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

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