A.—2,

the army in the field, if addressed to places in Great Britain (including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and Northern Ireland, will be carried free. Parcels will be prepaid, and a fee will be charged for the registration of postal matter. All such matter, except registered correspondence, will be carried at the sender's risk. 2. His Majesty's Government are also prepared to give instructions that, if any Dominion or colonial troops are serving with the British troops, correspondence posted by such troops, if posted at British Army post-offices, should be accepted under the same conditions as correspondence posted by British troops. The effect of this will be that, unless a Dominion or Colonial Government decides not to grant free postage to its troops on active service with the British Army, no charge will be made on the delivery of their correspondence. It will be remembered that the above procedure was followed during the Great War. 3. His Majesty's Government would accordingly be glad to learn whether your Ministers concur in the amendment of the section of Field Service Regulations referred to above to read as follows : — " Letters, not exceeding 4 oz. in weight, and post-cards emanating from British, Dominion, or colonial troops, from foreign attaches, and from civilians employed by or accompanying the army in the field, will be carried free. Parcels will be prepaid, and a fee will be charged for the registration of postal matter. All such matter, except registered correspondence, will be carried at the sender's risk." I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

No. 41. New Zealand, Dominions No. 484. Sill, — Downing Street, 29tli October, 1926. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 210, of the 7th May, 1 have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a statement issued by the Colonial Office on the 25th October regarding the restriction of rubber exports from Ceylon and Malaya. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. Rubber-exports Restriction. As from the Ist November, 1926, the export of rubber from Ceylon and Malaya will be subject to the following regulations. It is not contemplated that any change shall be made in these regulations for a period of twelve months at least, but if it is decided at the end of that time to continue the temporary policy of restriction for a further period, any changes in the regulations which may then be considered desirable may be made. Regulations. 1. If the average price of rubber in London is less than Is. 9d. a pound but not less than Is. 3d. a pound during any quarter, the percentage of standard production which may be exported at the minimum rate of duty for the ensuing quarter will be reduced by 10. If, however, the reduction to be effected under this regulation is a reduction from a figure of 100 per cent, the reduced percentage for the e,nsuing quarter will be 80. 2. If such average price for any quarter is not less than Is. 9d. a pound but less than 2s. a pound there will be no change in the percentage for the ensuing quarter. If, however, in each of three consecutive quarters such average price is not less than Is. 9d. a pound the percentage for the ensuing quarter will be increased by 10.

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