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No. 29. New Zealand, No. 126. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th August, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 110, of the 12th April, and to my telegram of the 3rd August, relative to the application for the grant of His Majesty's permission for the adoption of the title " King George's Sailors' Institute " in connection with the Sailors' Institute which is being erected at Port Lyttelton in commemoration of His Majesty's Coronation, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum from the Prime Minister recommending that the application be granted. I may add that the application for the title in question also has my support. I enclose, for your information, a copy of a letter from the honorary secretary of the Port Lyttelton Branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, addressed to Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., explaining the financial position in regard to the new institute. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1913, No. 29.

No. 30. New Zealand, No. 127. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th August, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 56, of the 15th February, covering a copy of a letter from the War Office relative to certain Rifle regiments of the New Zealand Military Forces being entitled to carry colours, I have the honour to inform you that in a minute from the Minister of Defence, forwarded to me by my Prime Minister, it is stated that the question, of altering the designation, of the eight New Zealand Infantry regiments concerned, so as to permit of their carrying colours, is under consideration, and that I shall be further advised in the matter in due course. I have, &c, ISLINGTON, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P. 0., &c, , Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1913, No. 2.

No. 31. New Zealand, No. 133. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd August, 1912. With reference to my telegram of the 20th August, on the subject of recent proposals made in the United States Legislature regarding the opening of the Panama Canal and the question of fees or dues on vessels using it, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a memorandum received from my Prime Minister, the substance of which was communicated in my telegram. 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, 19th August, 1912. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Prime Minister presents his compliments, and begs to call His Excellency's attention to recent proposals in the United States Legislature with reference to the opening of the Panama Canal, and the question of fees or dues on vessels using it. The Prime Minister points out that apparently it has been proposed that there should be a system of bonus or rebate to American vessels, and it would naturally follow that vessels of other nationalities would be compelled to pay higher dues in order to make up the deficiency caused through the exemption of American shipping. His Excellency's Advisers point out that such a proposal, if given effect to, would be a very serious matter for New Zealand, and the Prime Minister respectfully requests His Excellency to communicate by telegraph with the Imperial authorities asking them to use their influence to preserve intact the provisions of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. W. F. Massey, s Prime Minister.