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No. 42. New Zealand, No. 132. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th October, 1911. I have the honour to forward you copy of the Speech with which, on the 27th July last, I opened the Fourth Session of the Seventeenth Parliament of New Zealand, together with copies of the Addresses in Reply _ from the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives respectively. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 43. New Zealand, Honours. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 20th October, 1911. With reference to your despatch, Honours, of the 28th August, 1 1 have the honour to report that on the 12th October I duly presented to the 1 Honourable Sir Arthur Robert Guinness arid His Honour Sir Joshua Strange Williams their Letters Patent of Knighthood, in accordance with your instructions. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1912. No. 88.

• ——■———^——■— No. 44. New Zealand, No. 134. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th October, 1911. I have the honoiir to transmit to you the accompanying.copy of a memorandum, dated the 23rd October, which I have received from my Prime Minister, stating that my Government has no objection to the application of the Geneva Convention Bill to the Dominion of New Zealand. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 23rd October, 1911. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to acquaint His Excellency that when in London the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies wrote, under date the 7th July, expressing Mr. Harcourt's hope that the extension of the Geneva Convention Bill to all His Majesty's possessions outside the United Kingdom might be satisfactory. Since the Prime Minister's return he has made inquiries, and begs to state that the New Zealand Government has no objections to the application of this Bill to the Dominion ofNew Zealand, and will be glad, if His Excellency will convey this information to the Secretary of State. J. G. Ward.

No. 45. New Zealand, No. 135. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 27th October, 1911. With reference to your despatch, No. 237, of the 17th July, on the subject of guidons and colours for New Zealand regiments, I have the honour to transmit to you two copies of the latest issue of the " New Zealand Army List," together with a copy of a memorandum, dated the 24th October, which L have received from my Prime Minister, stating that there are sixteen infantry