A.—l

8

converse cases, the following remarks are made respecting the procedure referred to in paragraph 5 of your despatch under reply : — (i) The administration of compensation moneys transferred to this country would ultimately be carried out by the Public Trustee, but as the Court of Arbitration in New Zealand has jurisdiction over workers' compensation moneys it would be preferable that the Court awarding the compensation moneys should forward them to the Court of Arbitration in New Zealand, to be disposed of by the latter Court in the same manner as other compensation moneys within its jurisdiction. The Court could then direct that they be paid to the Public Trustee, and the moneys could then be dealt with in the same way as if the award had been originally made in New Zealand. (ii) and (iii) In the case of moneys to be transmitted to this country, it is suggested that they be paid to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London for transmission to the proper quarter here. (iv) There is no objection to this proposal. The Judge of the New Zealand Court of Arbitration suggests, however, that the directions of the transmitting Court should be general in their nature, so as to leave a discretion to the receiving Court to make such further orders in matters of detail as might appear from time to time to be necessary. This would obviate the expense and delay of additional applications to the transmitting Court. It is suggested that the most convenient form of order to be made by the transmitting Court would provide very generally (if at all) for a scheme of apportionment and provide that all other matters should be subject to the directions of the receiving Court in accordance with its general practice. 3. The Judge of the Court of Arbitration also suggests that the main object outlined in paragraph 4 of your despatch might be amplified by providing also for the administration of a lump sum awarded to a worker injured in England who has become resident in New Zealand but who is considered incapable himself of handling such a sum wisely. I have, &c., CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General. The Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, M.P., Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

Enclosure. Government House Despatch No. 273/28—Workmen's Compensation—lmperial Conference. Report of the Workmen's Compensation Sub-Committee of the Imperial Conference, 1926, with which were enclosed Copies of the Workmen's Compensation (Transfer of Funds) Act, 1927 (17 & 18 Geo. V., Ch. 15). Resolution 1 deals with the question of equality of treatment for national and foreign workers as regards workmen's compensation for accidents. (No reply required.) Resolution 2 recommends that arrangements be made between the different parts of the Empire whereby sums awarded under the law relating to workmen's compensation in one part of the Empire to beneficiaries resident or becoming resident in another part of the Empire might, at the request of the authority by which the award is made, be transferred to and administered by a competent authority in that part of the Empire in which such beneficiaries reside, and inviting the several Governments of the Empire to take such steps by way of legislation or otherwise as each may consider necessary and appropriate for the purpose of promoting such arrangements. It is understood that His Majesty's Government in Great Britain has passed legislation giving effect to the resolution and desires to be informed whether His Majesty's Government in New Zealand is disposed to enter into, and would be in a position to give effect to (whether by Rules of Court or otherwise) an arrangement with Great Britain on the lines recommended. Legislation will be necessary before His Majesty's Government in New Zealand can enter into an arrangement with His Majesty's Government in Great Britain for the transfer of workmen's compensation moneys on the lines indicated in the resolution. The question of introducing this legislation is receiving attention. It might be added that no difficulty is experienced in this country in cases