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hundred and eight, are equally effective with the corresponding regulations in force in this countryrespecting the assignment of load-lines to British merchant ships: Now, therefore, His Majesty in Council doth direct that, on proof that French ships have complied with the aforesaid French regulations, such ships shall not, when in ports of the United Kingdom, be liable to detention for non-compliance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts relating to overloading, nor shall there arise any liability to any tine or penalty which would otherwise arise for non-compliance with those provisions. Almerio Fitzßoy.

No. 104. New Zealand, No. 216. My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th December, 1909. With reference to my despatch No. 194, of the 30th October last, I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, the enclosed copy of a despatch addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by His Majesty's Representative at The Hague, reporting the deposit by Great Britain and other Powers of the ratifications of such of the Conventions and of the Declaration drawn up at the second Peace Conference, as had been ratified by their respective Governments. A list showing which of the Conventions have been ratified by the respective Powers is also enclosed. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. No. 49. Treaty. (43597.) Sik, — The Hague. 27th November, 1909. With reference to your despatch No. 30 (40931/09) of this series, of the 20th of this month, I have the honour to report that the representatives of the following Powers—Germany, United States of America, Austria-Hungary, China, Denmark, Great Britain, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, and Sweden —held a meeting this afternoon, under the presidency of the Minister for Forsign Affairs of the Netherlands in the " Salle de la Treve " of the Ministry of Waterways, and signed protocols recording the deposit of the ratifications of such of the Conventions and of the Declaration drawn up at the Second Peace Conference, as had been ratified hy their respective Governments. In signing the protocols relative to the Bth and 9th Conventions I was careful to state that the reservations made by His Majesty's Plenipotentiaries at the time of signature are especially maintained. The enclosed list will show which of the Conventions have been ratified by the respective Powers. I shall have the honour to forward to you copies of the protocols, signed by my colleagues and myself, as soon as they have been communicated to me. I have, &c, Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., &c. Georoe W. Buchanan.

Depot dtt 27 Novbmbrb, 1909. Allemagne ..I II 111 IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIII Amerique .. .. I II 111 IV V .. .. VIII IX X XI .. f, XIV Auttiche-Hongrie. .. I II 111 IV V VI VII VIII 'IX X XI XIII 1 ! .. Chine .. ..I X .. .. XTV Danemark ..I II 111 IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIII Grande Bretagne .... II 111 IV .. VI VII* VIII IX .. XI ... XIV Mexique .. .. I II 111 IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIII Pays Bas .. .. I II 111 IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIII XIV Russie .. .. I II 111 IV V VI VII .. IX X .. XIII Suede .. .. I .. 11l IV V VI VII .. IX .. XI XIII