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A.—2

Enclosures. No. 17. The Governor to the Secretary of State. Sir, — Government House, Hobart, Tasmania, Bth May, 1912. With reference to your despatch, No. 31, dated 27th March, 1912, transmitting copies of despatches from the Governors of Victoria and Western Australia on the subject of the resolution of the Imperial Conference in favour of continuing the policy of encouraging British emigrants to proceed to British dominions rather than foreign countries, for information of my Ministers, I have the honour to forward enclosed communication received from the Premier. I have, &c, Harry Barron, Governor. Your Excellency,— Premier's Office, Hobart, 6th May, 1912. Referring to the accompanying despatch, No. 31, dated the 27th March last, from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, I have the honour to inform you that Ministers will be pleased to encourage the emigration of desirable British subjects to this State. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania. N. E. Lewis, Premier.

No. 46. The Governor to the Secretary op State. Sir,— State Government House, Sydney, 14th May, 1912. Adverting to your despatch of the 2nd August, 1911, No. 106, transmitting a copy of a resolution passed by the Imperial Conference in favour of continuing the policy of encouraging British immigrants to proceed to British dominions rather than foreign countries, I have the honour to inform you that Ministers have intimated to me that they are heartily in accord with the spirit of the Conference resolution, and that a vigorous policy, including a system of State aid, is being pursued with the object of encouraging suitable immigrants from Great Britain to make their homes in New South Wales. I have, &c, Chelmspord, Governor.

No. 61. Circular. Sir, — Downing Street, 3rd July, 1912. I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, regulations issued from the Lord Chamberlain's Office denning the occasions when orders, miniature decorations, and medals are to be worn with evening dress. 2. I have received a ruling from the same source to the effect that it is incorrect for a civilian to wear in miniature the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross, Knight Grand Commander, Knight Commander, or Commander of the Orders of the Bath, Star of India, Saint Michael and Saint George, Indian Empire, and Royal Victorian Order. The regulations which exist with regard to the wearing in miniature of insignia of the higher classes of orders are only applicable to naval and military officers. 3. The new regulations do not specially provide for the procedure in the various Government Houses of the oversea possessions of the Crown, which are, of course, supposed to reflect exactly the practice of His Majesty's Court; but it will be well that you should guide yourself by the practice laid down for observing due courtesy in the case of Ambassadors and Ministers accredited to the Court of St. James. I have, &c, L. HAKCOURT. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. By His Majesty's commands, the following regulations will supersede those issued in May, 1911, defining the occasions when orders, miniature decorations, and medals are to be worn with evening dress :— 1. At all parties and dinners when any member of the Royal Family is present, riband, stars, and miniature decorations and medals will be worn. 2. At all parties and dinners given in the houses of Ambassadors and Ministers accredited to this Court, riband, stars, and miniature decorations and medals will be worn. The decoration of the country concerned should be worn in preference to the English one, and if both are worn, the former should take precedence of the latter.