7

A.—2

Enclosure. Sir, London, 30th March, 1908. Owing to an inquiry from a Norwegian Whaling Coy., I have the honour by order of my Government to ask you to kindly inform me whether foreign subjects are entitled to carry on whale fishing or to land killed whales at the Chatham Islands to the East of New Zealand, or whether it is necessary to apply for any special license or authorization in order to be enabled to carry on the said business there. I have etc., J. Irgbn, Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., etc. Charge d'Affaires.

No. 10. Circular. Sir, Downing Street, 16th April, 1908. I have the honour to inform you that Mis Majesty has been pleased this day to entrust to my care, as one of the Principal Secretaries of State the Seals of the Colonial Department. I have etc., CREWB. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

No. 11. No. 72. My Lord, Downing Street, 15th May, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 12 a.-i, i 90 8; of the 17th of March transmitting a petition signed by a large number of Chinese No residents in New Zealand in opposition to the " Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Act, 1907 " which you reserved for the signification of His Majesty's pleasure. 2. In reply I have to request you to inform the petitioners that I did not fail to lay their petition before His Majesty and that by His command I have given their prayer my most careful consideration, but that I have not been able to advise His Majesty to withhold His assent from the Bill, inasmuch as the question of the immigration of aliens into the Dominion is one which must be determined according to the will of the Parliament and people of New Zealand. 3. You should add that His Majesty's Government have every confidence that the Government and Parliament of New Zealand will afford all just relief to Chinese residents who are domiciled in New Zealand and who may have occasion to pay temporary visits abroad. 4. Steps are accordingly being taken to signify His Majesty's assent to the Bill by Order-in-Council. I have etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket. K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 12. Miscellaneous. My Lord, Downing Street, 18th May, 1908. With reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 7 of the sth January, I A.-1,1908, have the honour to inform you that there is no objection to the substitution of a No ' 32 " wreath of fern leaves for the wreath of laurel leaves on the Governor's flag, as proposed by your Government. 2. The necessary amendment will be made in the Admiralty Flag Book. I ha\e etc., CREWE. Governor, the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.