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No. 72. (No. 5.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, Ist February, 1902. I have the honour, in continuation of my cable of the 29th January, to enclose for your information copies of resolutions passed by other public bodies on the question of army meat contracts for the troops serving in South Africa. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, EANFUELY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. That, as the conditions for tendering and supplying frozen meat to the army in South Africa were unsuitable to New Zealand shippers, this Chamber is not prepared to comment upon the action of the War Office in placing the recent contracts for frozen meat in Australia with Argentine options. The Chamber requests the Government to endeavour to arrange that special provision be made in future contracts for the inclusion of suitable New Zealand meat, and that ample notice be given in the colony before tenders close. Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Chamber of Commerce Council passed resolution that this Council thanks the Right Hon. the Premier for his efforts to secure for the colony a share of 'the supply of meat to army in South Africa ; hopes that he will be successful in securing such conditions of contracting as will result in a large export from the colonies for army consumption. Hawera Chamber of Commerce. At meeting last night Hawera Chamber of Commerce strongly approve your action in connection frozen meat contract, South Africa. Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. This Chamber heartily supports you in the action you have taken, and trust you will be successful in inducing War Office to treat New Zealand in a fair spirit, which is due to us as members of the Empire. Patea Chamber of Commerce. Cordially indorses Premier's action with regard to frozen-meat contract, South Africa, and hopes he will be successful in impressing on authorities the importance of cementing the commercial interests of the Empire. Westport Chamber of Commerce. Westport Chamber unanimously passed following motion: " That the Chamber indorses the action of the Right Hon. the Premier in his protest to the War Office against giving part of the army meat contract to the Argentine, and, further, resolves that the right honourable gentleman be thanked for his prompt action in not alone looking after the interest of the colony, but also giving prominence to the opportunity of adding solidarity of the Empire in the matter of commerce." Feilding Chamber of Commerce. Chamber of Commerce unanimously carried following resolution : " That this Chamber heartily indorses action the Premier has taken re South Africa army meat contracts, and trust he may be successful in inducing War Office to treat Australasian Colonies fairly by giving them share future contracts." Eltham Chamber of Commerce. Eltham Chamber of Commerce warmly indorses resolutions of the Napier Chamber relating to army contracts recently placed in the Argentine, and hope the Government will be able to secure such contracts for the colonies in the future.

No. 73. (No. 10.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 11th February, 1902. I have already had the honour of informing you by cable, in reply to your despatch (No. 142) of the 27th December, 1901, that my Premier, accompanied by Mrs. Seddon, accepts with pleasure the invitation of His Majesty's Government to visit England for the Coronation; also, by confidential cable in reply to yours of 23rd January, that Mr. Seddon would stay, if possible, for the Conference.

A.-2, 1902, No.-106.

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