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A.—l

1. Sections 32 and 33 of the National Insurance Act relate — (a.) To the transfer of insured persons to foreign and colonial societies ; and (b.) The transfer values of emigrants. 2. (a.) In New Zealand a system of State health insurance is in operation, termed the " National Provident Fund," administered by the Friendly Societies Department under a Board nominated by the Governor. The fund is voluntary and contributory in character, and provides for the undermentioned benefits, payable through the Post Office, which also collects the contributions of those joining. The benefits are : Maternity allowance up to £6 ; incapacity allowance after three months' incapacity where there are children ; allowances to children on death of a contributor ; and a pension. (&.) The friendly societies in New Zealand administer the most popular form of health insurance. They are mainly offshoots of the British orders, and conduct their affairs on similar lines. It is with the societies only that reciprocal arrangements in terms of the above sections of the British Act could be made, possibly through the medium of this office. The benefits are generally, as in England : Medical attendance (but covering the family) ; sick-allowance ; funeral allowance The societies are subject to the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, which is practically a copy of the Imperial Act of 1896, but the New Zealand Act imposes more stringent requirements as to audits and valuations. The following documents are enclosed. : Copies of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909 ; the National Provident Fund Act, 1910 ; and the last Annual Report of Registrar of Friendly Societies (which furnishes particulars of all societies operating in New Zealand). The rules and constitutions of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Order of Foresters follow very closely those of the British orders. 3. Copies of all printed matter relating to the National Provident Fund's operations are enclosed. 11. D. Bell, For Prime Minister.

No. 52. New Zealand, No. 4. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 17th January, 1913. With reference to your despatch, No. 348, of the 22nd November, on. the subject of the appointment of Mr. H. R. Spence as Commercial Expert and Accredited Inquiry Agent for the New Zealand Department of Trade and Customs, with headquarters in London, I have the honour to inform you that I have been requested by my Prime Minister to convey the thanks of the Government of New Zealand for the courtesy which it is proposed to extend to Mr. Spence in connection with his inquiries. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

A.-2, 1913 No. 96.

No. 53. New Zealand, No. 15. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 6th February, 1913. With reference to your despatch, No. 313, of the 30th October, on the subject of the International Convention for the Suppression of the White Slave Traffic, I have the honour to inform you, by request of my Prime Minister, that the Government desire that Article 11 may bs made applicable to New Zealand. I have, &c, LIVERPOOL, The Right Hon. Lewis V. Harcourt, P.C., &c, Governor. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 54. New Zealand, No. 18. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 7th February, 1913. With reference to your despatch, No. 347, of the 21st November, forwarding a copy of a despatch from the Deputy Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada giving the views of his Government on the subject of the publication of dissenting opinions in the case of judgments delivered by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and asking for an expression of the wi-hes of my Government

A.-2, 1013 No. 95.