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Enclosure. M. 13240. Sik, — Marine Department, 7 Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., 17th August, 1909. With reference to the provisions of section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, relating to foreign passenger-steamers trading with the Tinted Kingdom, 1 am directed by the Board of Trade to state, for the information of the Earl of Crewe, that, in view of the fact that certain of the colonies have adopted legislation providing for the survey of foreign passengersteamers trading with the ports of the colony, it would probably Ik- useful for those colonies to be furnished with a statement of the action which has been taken in this country in regard to the matter. Under section 363 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, arrangements have been made for the recognition in this country of the official passenger-steamer certificates issued in Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Holland; and vessels holding sucli certificates are exempt from the survey required under section 13 of the Act of 1906, although the Board's surveyors have power to go on board to see that the condition of the vessel and equipments is as stated in the certificate. A similar arrangement is on the point of being concluded with France, and a further communication will be addressed to you shortly regarding the negotiations with that country. Negotiations are also in progress with Italy, Japan, Belgium, Sweden, and Russia, and the result of these negotiations will lie communicated to you in due course. It ma}' l>e added that in the meantime the Board have not considered it necessary to enforce the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts as to annual survey in the case of passenger-steamers belonging to countries with which negotiations are proceeding, provided there is no reason to doubt that the passengers are carried on substantially the same conditions as to safety, numbers, and accommodation as obtain on British vessels. As some of the colonial Governments are possibly aware, an arrangement has been in force for many years under which passenger-steamer certificates issued by the United States Government are recognised in this country. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. K. C. Heron Maxwki.l

No. 66. New Zealand, No. 172. My Lord, — Downing Street, 10th September, 1909. With reference to your telegram of the 24th August, 11)05, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the consideration of your Ministers, copy of a letter from the Board of Trade regarding the proposed reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence, whose appointment terminated on the 28th August last. I shall be glad to be informed as soon as possible whom your Government wish to nominate as their representative. I have, &c, CRiWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. No. 7064. Board of Trade (Commercial Department), Gwydyr House, Whitehall, Sin, — London, S.W., 2nd September, 1909. I am directed by the Board of Trade to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the period of office for which their Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence was appointed in 1905, and reappointed for one year in 1908, terminated on the 28th August last, and that they propose to reconstitute the Committee, with the least possible delay, on the same lines and with the same general functions as the Committee which has now come to an end. Lord Crewe will be aware that the Dominions were represented upon the Committee by four members nominated by the respective Governments, viz. : — Canada ... ... ... ... Lord Strathcona. Australia ... ... ... ... Mr. David George. New Zealand ... ... ... .. Hon. W. Pember Reeves. and South Africa ... ... ... ... Mr. Henry Birchenough, C.M.G. The Board are desirous that this colonial representation should be continued upon the now Committee, and I am accordingly to ask you to be good enough to move Lord Crewe to take such steps as he may deem proper to obtain at the earliest possible date nominations for this purpose from the Governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is intended that the Committee shall be appointed for three years. I have, &c, The Under-Secretarv of State, Colonial Office, H, Lt,ewei,lyn Smith.