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I enclose three copies of the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill which has been introduced into Parliament, and suggest that His Excellency be advised to send them to the Secretary of State. Sections 2 (proviso), 9, 19, 24, 31, and 56 relate to matters dealt with by the Navigation Conference. J. A. Millak.

No. 47. New Zealand, No. 103. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 25th November, 1909. With reference to your despatch, No. 194, of the 20th November, 1908, transmitting correspondence relating to Suez Canal dues, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that my Ministers hope that the Imperial Government will be able in the near future to obtain a reduction in the dues. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 48. New Zealand, No. 104. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 27th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 53, of the sth March, on the subject of legislation concerning trade-marks and patents, and regret that I was not in a position to send you an earlier reply. 2. In answer to your Lordship's remarks, my Prime Minister has forwarded me a memorandum prepared by the Minister of Justice, a copy of which I enclose for your information. I have, &c, PLUNKET, Governor. To the Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Enclosure to New Zealand, No. 104, 27th November, 1909. Department of Justice, Wellington, New Zealand, 16th November, 1909. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. In returning despatches Nos. 243/09 and 709/09, I beg to state that a Bill to amend the Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks Act is now in course of preparation, but that there is little likelihood of its being passed into law during the present session. Trade-marks. The proposed Bill will embody most of the proposed amendment* in the same, or a slightly different form, excepting those relating to cotton marks and standardisation marks, for which no special provision is considered necessary, as the circumstances are entirely different in New Zealand. Patents. The recent amendments made in the patent laws of England have not yet been embodied in New Zealand legislation; but they are receiving careful consideration, and such of them as are considered suitable to the conditions prevailing in the Dominion will be submitted to Parliament. I do not consider it necessary to summon a Conference in London to discuss these subjects. J. G. FINDLAT, Minister of Justice.

No. 49. New Zealand, No. 107. My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 2nd December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, No. 47, of the 26th February last, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, setting forth the results of the careful examination which had been made with