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Enclosures. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor-Gbmsral of thb Commonwealth of Australia. (Telegram.) High Commissioner for Western Pacific has represented that administration of islands in Western Pacific would be greatly assisted if possible for him to visit them more frequently in H.M. ships. This service would involve frequent visits to imperfectly surveyed waters, for which H.M.S. "Torch" is more suitable than the third-class cruisers now on station. Admiralty are willing to substitute " Torch " for one of the third-class cruisers now maintained in commission under the agreement with Commonwealth, and as this arrangement would considerably facilitate discharge of High Commissioner's duties without appreciably affecting strength of squadron, I hope Ministers will be able to assent to proposed exchange until termination of present agreement in 1913. As present commission of " Pegasus " expires in March, this would be convenient opportunity for relief by " Torch " if Commonwealth Government assent. Please telegraph reply. Haecourt. The Govebnor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Telegram.) Your telegram 4th January substitution of " Torch " for one of third-class cruisers : Government of Commonwealth of Australia raise no objection to proposed exchange. DUDIiHT.

No. 122. New Zealand, No. 25. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th January, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Board of Trade forwarding copies of two international maritime conventions relating to collisions and salvage, and drafts of proposed conventions relating to the limitations of shipowners' liability and maritime mortgages and liens. 2. I shall be glad to learn at the early convenience of your Ministers whether your Government have any observations to make with regard to the two conventions respecting collisions and salvage, and also to receive any observations Avhich they may wish to offer on the draft conventions relating to shipowners' liability and maritime mortgages and liens. I have, &c," L. HAECOURT. Governor the Right Ron. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

No. 123. New Zealand, No. 26. My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th January, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copy of correspondence with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia regarding the removal of the Australian naval base to New Zealand. 2. I shall be glad if you will explain to your Prime Minister that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have observed the statement which was made in the House of Representatives on the 12th October last—that it was agreed at the time of the Conference of 1909 that Auckland should be made the base of the ships of the Royal Navy maintained in New Zealand waters. So far as the records of the Conference available in the Admiralty extend, there is no note that any naval base was definitely selected; and the statements concurred in by Sir Joseph Ward, and published in parliamentary paper Cd. 4948, do not, it will be seen, touch upon the question of a fixed base for the ships of the Royal Navy in New Zealand waters. 3. While, however, there is no official record of any reference to Auckland as a naval base, the Lords Commissioners think it quite probable that the matter was discussed informally in the private communications which passed at the