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Queen, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke of Connaught to be present at the New Zealand International Exhibition, which will be open in Christchurch for six months from the Ist November next. 2. I am also desired to forward the enclosed blank invitation cards, as it is thought possible thai their Majesties and Royal Highnesses may like to have souvenirs of the undertaking. 3. As my Ministers have already been advised, through your telegram of the 20th August, that it is impossible for a member of the Royal Family to attend the Exhibition, no reply to these invitations is expected by my Government. I am, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

No. 15. My Lord, Government House. Wellington, 23rd October, 1906. I have the honour to transmit for Your Lordship's consideration the enclosed copy of a minute which I have received from my Government, in which it is recommended that the Hon. W. Montgomery, who is retiring very shortly from the Legislative Council, may be allowed to retain the title of "Honour able " for life. 2. I do not know whether exceptions are made under circumstances such as those here detailed, but, if they are, I concur in my Premier's recommendation, as I am personally aware of the high public and private character borne by Mr. Montgomery and the estimation in which he is held. I am, &c, ' The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET. Enclosure. Wellington, 23rd October, 1906. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier presents his compliments, and begs to acquaint His Excellency thai after forty-two years of active public life the Hon. W. Montgomery, member of the Legislative Council, owing to impaired health, is about to retire. The honourable gentleman is an ex-Minister of the Crown, a highly respected citizen, and held in the greatest esteem by all colonists. Under these exceptional circumstances, the Premier very respectfully recommends that the Imperial Government - be asked to allow him to retain the title of " Honourable " for life, a graceful act which would be much appreciated by the honourable gentleman himself and the Government and people of this colony. J. G. Ward.

No. 16. (No. 95.) My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 29th October, 1906. With reference to my telegrams of the 23rd instant and to-day, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship the resolutions which my Premier wishes to bring forward at the Colonial Conference. I have, &c, The Secretary of State for the Colonies. PLUNKET.

Enclosure. Motions. —Imperial Council. A. Thai it would be to the advantage of the Empire, and facilitate the dealing with questions that affect the oversea dominions, if an Imperial Council were established to which each of the selfgoverning colonies should send a representative. B. That it in essential to the well-being of both the United Kingdom and His Majesty's dominions beyond the leas that in the oversea dominions preferential tariffs in favour of British-manufactured goods carried in British-owned ships should l>e granted, and that in the United Kingdom preferential rates of duty on colonial products now taxable should be conceded.