69

A.—2

Enclosure. Commercial, No. 24. Sir, — British Consulate, St. Louis, 20th December, 1909. 1 have the honour to inform you that the Missouri State Prison Board approved on the 17th instant the contracts for the next four years for the employment of the convict labour in the State Prison, and that the following contractors agreed to pay 70 cents a day for such labour: — Star Clothing Company ... ... ... ... ... 600 men. Vaughan-Monnig Shoe Company ... ... ... ... 300 ~ Sela-Schwab Company ... ... ... ... ... 200 ~ Priesmeyer Shoe Company ... ... ... ... ... 175 ~ Sullivan Saddle-tree Company... ... ... ... ... 125 ~ Ruwart Saddlery Company ... ... ... ... ... 12 ~ Central Broom Company ... ... ... ... ... 75 ~ As some of these manufacturers export to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, their goods should be prohibited under the Customs laws of those countries. I have, &c,

No. 117. New Zealand, No. 6. My Lord, — Downing Street, 7th January, 1910. 1 have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the papers noted below on the subject of the prohibition of the importation of Australian and New Zealand potatoes into Peru. I have, &c, CREWE.

The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. No. 44, Commercial (46785). Sib,— Lima, 19th November, 1909. I have the honour to transmit herewith the text and translation of a decree, dated the 12th November last, prohibiting the importation of potatoes from Australia and New Zealand, in consequence of a report received by the Peruvian Foreign Office from the Consul-General of the republic to the effect that the disease known as " Iris blight " has made its appearance in those countries. I have, &c, Sir E. Grey, Bart., M.P., &c. C. Dbs Gbaz. (Translation.) Potato-disease. In consideration of a despatch directed by the Consul-General of this republic to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in which he reports the appearance of the disease called " rona Irlanda " (Iris blight) that seriously affects potato crops; it being necessary to adopt adequate measures to avoid the introduction of the said disease into the country: Be it resolved, — To absolutely prohibit the importation of potatoes from Australia and New Zealand. Cargoes of potatoes that arrive on ships proceeding from the above-mentioned places as comestibles must be consumed on board, and the peelings and waste that have not been boiled must be burnt. The Ministries of Commerce, Finance, and of War and Marine are authorised to make the necessary dispositions for the due observance of the present resolution according to the requirements of their respective Departments. Bβ it registered, communicated, and published. Signature of His Excellency : Labrabuke V Correa.

Date. Description. 1909. ovember 19 From H.M. representative at Lima.