A.—2

26

Enclosure. 252,931. Sir, — General Post Office, London, 14th June, 1909. I am directed by the Postmaster-General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the -2nd ultimo, transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of the adherence of the Dominion to the Radio-telegraphic Convention. The International Bureau will be requested to forward to the Postmaster-General of New Zealand the copies of the circulars and notifications subsequent to Circular No. (i and Notification No. I'J, to which New Zealand is entitled. The Bureau would noi necessarily, the PostmasterGeneral understands, forward copies of the documents of the Berlin Conference, 190(i, or of the Radio-telegraphic Convention, to adhering Administrations, though it would no doubt do so if requested. As this Depart mini has a number of spare oopies of the documents, however, 1 am to forward three copies herewith fur the use of the New Zealand Administration, together with six oopies of the parliamentary paper containing the Convention, with a translation. Telegraphic Administrations adhering to the Radio-telegraphic Convention are not entitled, in consequence of such adhesion, in additional oopies of the Journal T&igraphique. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of Slate, Colonial Office. A. M. Ogilvik.

No. 37. New Zealand, No. 121. My Lord, — . Downing Street, 15th June, 1909. With reference to my despatch No. 204, of the 9th December last, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the subject of the allegations of Mr. R. Harris with regard to his treatment under the immigration laws of the Commonwealth of Australia. I have, &c, CEEWE. Governor, the Right Eon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. No. 94. Commonwealth of Australia, Governor-General's Office, Melbourne, My Lord,— 3rd May, 1909. Referring to Your Lordship's despatch No. +14, dated 9th December, 1908, covering a copy of a letter from Mr. R. Harris, of New Zealand, relative to his treatment under the immigration laws of the Commonwealth of .Australia, I have the honour to forward herewith, for Your Lordship's information, a copy of a despatch which has been addressed to me by His Majesty's Prime Minister of the Commonwealth upon the subject. I have, <fee, Dudley, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. P.M. 09/1625. Commonwealth of Australia. Prime Minister, Melbourne. My Lord,— Melbourne, 23rd April, 1909. With reference to the Secretary of State for the Colonies' despatcli of the 9th December last. No. 411, forwarding copy of a comrmmication received from a coloured resident of Auckland named R. Harris, a pugilist, who arrived at Sydney from New Zealand sonic two years ago, I have the honour to invite Your Excellency to be so g 1 as to inform Lord Crewe that it appears from the reports received that on this man's arrival doubts were felt by the officers administering the [mmigratipn Restriction Acts as to the bona fides of his expressed intention to leave Australia. 2. Inquiries were accordingly made of the Union Steamship Company and Cook's Tourist Bureau in Sydney with a view to learning whether security for his departure from Australia was forthcoming. As it was not, and as, on account of his blustering attitude and demeanour generally, it was not thought desirable to recommend the issue of a certificate of exemption without security, he was noi permitted to land, but returned to New Zealand the following day. .!. With regard t<. Harris's statement that he passed the dictation test, I shall be pleased if Your Excellency will inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Customs officer who applied the test, which was in English, states that Harris made an effort tn write the passage submitted to him, but gave it up as a failure. I have, &c, W. M. Hughes, For the Prime Minister. Governor-General, His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Dudley, P.C.. G.C.V.0., (fee.