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Chinese Minister, requesting that certain changes may be introduced into the laws oi' New Zealand relating to the immigration of Chinese subjects in the Dominion. I have, &c, CREWE. Governor, the Right Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosures. (30921.) Yovu ExOELLHNCT, — Chinese Legation, 14th August, 1909. I have the honour to inform Your Excellenoy that I have received telegraphic instructions from the Wai-wu Pu in Peking, directing me to approach Your Excellency on the subject of the present position of Chinese subjects in tiic Dominion of New Zealand. In the year 1908 the New Zealand Legislature passed an Act entitled the Immigration Restriction Act, with an addition in the same year called the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act. On leading the provisions contained in the said Acts, 1 cannot refrain from remarking that the restrictions they impose upon Chinese subjects appear very oppressive and undiscriminating. With the exception of oflieers or crews of Chinese vessels of war, as provided for in clause 41 of I'arl 111 of the principal Act, all other classes of Chinese subjects are precluded from visiting thai prosperous colony of the British Empire unless they are willing to submit themselves to certain proceedings derogatory to their dignity and self-respect. As New Zealand is within easy distance of China, and has made great progress within the last generation in the development oi' various industries, and also in her economical conditions, it would be to the advantage of both countries if facilities were afforded to Chinese subjects to visit that Dominion not only for the purpose of encouraging trade, but also for intellectual studies. With this object in view the Chinese Government have had this matter under consideration for some time, and have now arrived at the conclusion that the present might be considered an opportune time to approach the Government of New Zealand for the negotiation of some change in their laws regulating the immigration of Chinese subjects into their Dominion. I am now instructed, therefore, by my Government to enclose herewith, for Your Excellency's information, a memorandum of the proposed modifications on the existing immigration rules of New Zealand, and my Government would feel deeply gratified if Your Excellency could see your way to exercise such a favourable influence in the matter as would contribute to the settlement of tliis important question in the sense desired. I have, &c. Sir Edward Grey, Bart.. M.P., &c. Li Chinq-Fong Memokandum of Proposed Modifications in the New Zealand Regulations for the Immigbation of Chinese. 1. Chinese officials, students, and merchants with capital shall be granted the same privileges and facilities in landing at any port of New Zealand as are granted to the subjects of other Powers who have treaty relations with England : Provided they can produce passports issued by competent Chinese authorities certifying as to his status and condition, such passports to be viseed by English Consuls or otherwise duly authorised English officials. i. Any Chinese subject who lias been resident in New Zealand for over three years, and who is well known to have been engaged bona fide in any respectable business, can have his wife and family brought from China to New Zealand to reside with him, and his wife and family may be allowed to land without paying any tax or submitting themselves to the language test, if they can produce a passport or passports issued by a competent Chinese authority certifying that they are in fact the wife and family of the aforesaid Chinese subject. ■'!. No Chinese subject who has been resident in any part of New Zealand for a number of years and is well known to his neighbours shall, if he desires to leave New Zealand temporarily with the intention of returning within four years, be required to leave his thumb-impressions for identification. 4. Any Chinese subject who is able to pass the language test on entering New Zealand shall be allowed to land, like the subjects of other Powers, without paying any tax. 3. An} - Chinese subject who is passing through New Zealand on his way to other countries shall be exempted from paying any tax if he can find sureties to guarantee that he is a bona fide through traveller. If such traveller is afterwards found to remain in any part of New Zealand he will be dealt with in accordance with clause 34 of the Immigration Restriction Act of 1908.

No. 72. New Zealand. —Miscellaneous. My Lord,— Downing Street, 24th September, 1909. With reference to my despatches, " Miscellaneous," of the 17th and 30th June, enclosing the regulations which have been approved for the award of long-service medals to men of the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval