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Paragraph 3 of your despatch, No. 237, dated the 17th July, 1911, to the Governor of New Zealand, sets forth that Rifle regiments, or those dressed as such, do not carry colours. In the British Regular Army, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), the King's Royal Rifle Corps, the Royal Irish Rifles, and the Rifle Brigade do not carry colours, nor do Rifle regiments in the Territorial Force. The Army Council therefore hope that the Governor and Prime Minister of New Zealand will follow the custom existing in the British Army as to Rifle regiments not carrying colours. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. W. D. Ward.

No.|3.f New Zealand, No. 58. My Lord, — : * Downing Street, 16th February, 1912. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 2, of the 3rd January, forwarding a letter from the New Zealand Anti-Opium Association, Wellington, with a petition on the subject of the opium traffic with China from the women in New Zealand of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union and their friends. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

No. 4. New Zealand, No. 65. My Lord, — Downing Street, 27th February, 1912. With reference to my despatch, No. 410, of the 23rd December last, I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the Governments of Canada, the Union of South Africa, and Newfoundland have adhered to the international agreement for the suppression of obscene publications, 1910. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

No. 5. New Zealand, No. 66. My Lord,— Downing Street, 28th February, 1912. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 9, of the 12th January, on the subject of the alliance of certain New Zealand regiments with regiments of the British Army. 2. I observe from the last paragraph of your Prime Minister's memorandum of the 3rd January that particulars of changes in organization or designation of the New Zealand Forces will be published from time to time in the New Zealand Army List; but, as stated in my despatch, No. 22, of the 18th January, it would be a convenience to the Army Council if any changes in designation could be reported to them through this Office as soon as they are made, and I shall be much obliged if your Ministers will be so good as to give the necessary instructions that this shall be done. 3. I presume that a copy of each issue of the New Zealand Army List will be forwarded to this Office for record as well as to the War Office. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.