8.—6,

XXX

The Government has considered various proposals for altering the present system adopted in our English office, which relies on advertisements in newspapers to induce applications from emigrants, and it is suggested that a process of seeking emigrants in the country districts of Great Britain and Ireland, as our competitors do, would be beneficial. The difference between a method of inviting applications by advertisement and a method of bringing before the people in their own counties the advantages offered by New Zealand is manifest; but under the former plan the expenditure can be accurately estimated, whereas under the latter the procedure must be limited by the cost of working. The Government has reason to believe that it will be able, without an excessive increase of cost, to employ both methods in the future. The establishment of a new system to be controlled by the High Commissioner is, however, a matter which can be finally determined only after full consideration of every suggestion made by him. A comparison between the number of assisted immigrants arriving in the year ended the 31st March, 1913, and the number of the previous year proves that an increase has already been effected. The number for 1911-12 was 3,300, and for the year 1912-13, 3,928. OFFICES OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER IN LONDON. Shortly after his arrival in London last year the High Commissioner reported to the Government, in confirmation of similar representations by his predecessors, that the present offices in Victoria Street, Westminster, were insufficient for the accommodation of the staff, and that the location of the offices was unsuitable for various reasons. Several alternative sites were submitted and considered, and finally a site in the Strand, next to the Adelphi Theatre, was selected, and has been reported upon by competent land surveyors nominated by the Government. It is believed that negotiations for a lease will shortly be completed. The site has a frontage to the Strand of about 50 ft., the ground area being 4,567 superficial feet. The owners of the land will erect a building of six stories in height, upon plans to be approved by the Government, at a cost estimated at between £15,000 and £20,000. The term of the lease will be eighty years. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. The one-million loan guaranteed by the Government of New Zealand on account of the Bank of New Zealand becomes due in 1914. The directors of the bank have advised the Government that it would be in the interest of the bank to renew this loan, and that legislation should be passed this session to permit of an increase in the capital of the bank. Some difference of opinion exists between the directors and some of the shareholders. The latter have made their representations to the Government. These, with the board's recommendations, have been carefully considered, and the Government has decided that legislation shall be introduced this session which it is believed will be satisfactory to Parliament, to the directors and shareholders, and in the interests of the people of the Dominion. ESTIMATES OF EEVBNUE AND EXPENDITURE, 1913-14. It is estimated that the revenue for 1913-14 will be £11,789,602, made up as follows : — „ Customs .... .... .... .... .... 3,250,000 Kailways .... .... .... .... .... 4,200,000 Stamps .... .... .... .... .... 1,000,000 Post and Telegraph .... .... .... .... 1,230,000 Land-tax .... .... .... .... .... 750,000 Income-tax.... .... .... .... .... 470,000 Beer duty .... .... .... .... .... 124,000 Kegistration .... .... .... .... 92,000 Marine .... .... .... .... .... 51,200 Miscellaneous .... .... .... .... 360,000 Territorial revenue .... .... .... 190,000 National-endowment revenue .... .... .... 72,402 £11,789,602