H.—22.

XIX. MAORI ANTIQUITIES ACT, 1908. Three warrants authorizing the export of Maori antiquities on an exchange basis with museums in the United States of America were issued. XX. PASSPORTS AND EXIT PERMITS. During the year 677 new passports were issued, compared with 2,186 last year ; and renewals were granted to 165 passports, compared with 390 last year. The war has restricted foreign travel and accounts for the decrease shown. All persons over sixteen years of age require a permit to leave New Zealand. The introduction of compulsory national service has added to the already heavy pressure in the passport section of the office. The Department acts in closest co-operation with the Department of National Service to ensure that no person leaves permanently if he is needed in the country from a man-power point of view. Approximately 11,000 permits to leave New Zealand were issued. Special arrangements are in force at Auckland to facilitate the transit of passengers travelling by the Pan-American Airways clippers. XXI. FOREIGN CONSULS. Twenty-three foreign countries have consuls in New Zealand. Two consuls-general (le carriere and one consul de carrierel eft New Zealand. One honorary consul and one vice-consul died. The Government of Poland appointed an officer as consul-general in Wellington. Six new appointments were gazetted. The duty devolved on the Department of making all the arrangements for the return to Italy of the Italian Consul and his entourage on the outbreak of war with Italy. XXII. CHANGE OF NAME. During the past year fifty-eight warrants of exemption from the provisions of the Change of Name Emergency Regulations were issued, and eleven applications refused. Careful inquiries have been made to ascertain whether the applicant is of enemy nationality or not, and whether there is any ulterior motive prompting the applicant's change of name, such as avoidance of military obligations. Exemption from the regulations is not granted to enemy aliens. The principal regulations were further amended to include a provision prohibiting enemy aliens engaged in trade or business from carrying on business under any name other than that by which they were known on the 4th September, 1939. XXIII. NATURALIZATION. Certificates of naturalization were granted to eleven aliens. In May, 1940, it was decided to suspend naturalization entirely during the war. Since then there has been one exception only, and that was in a case where the grantee had originally been a British subject by birth. Naturalization was revoked in one case due to continued absence from this country. Another revoking order was made on the grounds of disloyalty and disaffection on the part of the naturalized person. Other cases are under review. Three persons who at birth possessed dual —i.e., British and another —nationality renounced British nationality by making declarations of alienage. Fifteen wives of aliens becoming naturalized made declarations of desire to acquire British nationality. Twenty-two British-born women married to aliens made declarations to retain, while in New Zealand, the rights of a British subject. XXIV. RACING. Totalizator investments continue to show an increase. As iu previous years, the Department had a representative at all totalizator race meetings. The following statistics relative to the racing year ended 31st July, 1.940, are of interest (figures for the racing year 1939 in parentheses) : Number of racing days, 319 (320) ; number of races, 2,499 (2,517) ; amount of stakes, £563,696 (£550,054) ; totalizator investments, £8,139,914 (£7,981,441) ; amount paid in dividends, £6,721,662 (£6,589,628) ; Government taxes, £768,654 (£673,856). For the eight months ended 31st March, 1941, of the current racing year, totalizator investments have increased by £128,377 for 215 days racing, as against 232 days in the corresponding period, which included the Easter racing. XXV. WAR FUNDS. The patriotic organizations operating under the War Funds Act, 1915 (1914-18 world war), are recorded as possessing the following assets : — £ s. d. 25 incorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 350,527 9 II 7 Red Cross bodies .. .. .. .. .. 77,693 .4 3 2 blind soldiers' and veterans' homes' funds .. .. .. 68,508 9 5 11 unincorporated societies .. .. .. .. .. 5,709 6 5 6 returned soldiers'clubs .. .. .. .. .. 22,320 18 4 I National War Funds Council .. .. .. .. 95,672 5 3 52 £620,431 13 7 The Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Society, the largest, divided its remaining assets between the Auckland Veterans' Home and the National War Funds Council.

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