H:—.27

1910. NEW ZEALAND

THE FIRM OF "E. A. SMITH" (CORRESPONDENCE WITH REFERENCE TO).

Laid on the Table of the House by Leave.

Cable.—Eight Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Wellington, 3rd September, 1906. Have you_ authorised E. A. Smith to announce himself as the Shipping Agent, Government of New Zealand? Is he employed by you and is he authorised arrange passages to navvies and others? Ward. High Commissioner for New Zealand, London.

Copy of Cablegram from High Commissioner, London, to the Right Hon. the Premier, dated 4th September, 1906. In reply to your telegram of yesterday's date E. A. Smith for many years authorised Shipping Agent for New Zealand Government, and has been referred to as such in official documents, and Edward Kennaway taking on business in the name of E. A. Smith employed by me arrange reduced passages for persons approved by me. Secondly, all the persons named in your letter of 10th July were duly approved by me, E. A. Smith thereupon arranging their passages. Contract tickets endorsed by Kennaway. Authorised to sign under Board of Trade regulations, it having been arranged that no one else shall issue such tickets, thus insuring no such tickets shall be issued except to persons approved by me.

Right Hon. the Prime Minister to the High Commissioner. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, Dear Sir,— 28th January, 1910. I forward you herewith by this mail extracts from newspapers in which certain statements are made concerning the shipping arrangements carried out by the firm of E. A. Smith in London. 1 should be glad if you would advise me fully by return mail what the whole position regarding this firm is, and the business relations between it and the High Commissioner's Office. Be good enough to state at the same time whether any payments have been made on behalf of the New Zealand Government to the firm in question, and whether this firm has occupied any portion of the High Commissioner's Office. Please deal also with any other points referred to in the published correspondence, I shall be glad to have a full report from you. I have, &c, 3'B?( The High Commissioner for New Zealand. J. G. Ward.

High Commissioner to Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Via Suez, 18/3/10. No. 1084. Westminster Chambers, 13 Victoria Street, London S.W., Sir,— 18th March, 1910. In reply to your letter of the 28th January last, on the subject of the newspaper remarks with reference to the shipping work of this Department as carried on by Mr. E. A. Smith, I beg to forward you a report from Mr. Palliser on the subject, and I propose to write to you fully on the matter by next mail. I have, &c, Wm. Hall-Jones. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister, Wellington, New Zealand,

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