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Enclosure. Dominions Royal Commission, Sir, — Scotland House, Victoria Embankment, London S.W., 19th August, 1913. :;lj I have the honour to request, on my own and my colleagues' behalf, that our thanks may be conveyed to the New Zealand Government for the kindness shown to the Dominions Royal Commission during its recent visit. We are greatly indebted to His Excellency the Governor and to the Prime Minister and to other Ministers of State for the excellent arrangements made for our tour, as well as for much courtesy and hospitality. Some months before our visit the New Zealand Government had selected Mr. Malcolm Ross to act as local officer of the Commission, and all the preparations were in his hands. Mr. Ross took great obtain for us, in evidence, the best opinions on the various subjects of our mission, and also to ensure beforehand that no detail of the arrangements should be forgotten. We desire to place on record our high appreciation of his work. The Dominion Government further appointed Mr. J. Hislop, Secretary to the Department of Internal Affairs, and two other officers of the Department, as well as Mr. Ross, to meet the Commission at the Bluff, and to travel with us through New Zealand. The presence of these officers facilitated our inquiries and added to the utility of our visit. We desire particularly to mention the help given to us by Mr. Hislop, whose thoughtfulness, added to his wide knowledge of New Zealand and Imperial affairs, was of very real service. The short-handwork was entrusted to two members of the New Zealand Hansard staff. They carried out their task with great accuracy and expedition, and we are much obliged to the Dominion Government for placing their services at our disposal. I have, &c, H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies. Edgar Vincent.

New Zealand, No. 318. No ' 63 ' My Lord, — Downing Street, 23rd August, 1913. With reference to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 69, of the 14th May, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an Order of His Majesty in Council making certain adaptations in the Geneva Convention Act, 1911, in regard to its application to New Zealand. 2. With reference to section 3 of the Order in Council, I shall be glad if you will inform me in due course of the date fixed for the Order to come into force. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 12th day of August, 1913. Present: The King's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord President, Mr. Secretary Harcourt, Sir William Carington, Mr. Fischer, Sir Louis Mallet. Whereas by the Geneva Convention Act, 1911, it is enacted that from the commencement of the said Act it shall not be lawful for any person to use for the purposes of his trade or business, or for any other purpose whatsoever, without the authority of the Army Council, the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Federal colours of Switzerland, or the words " Red Cross " or " Geneva Cross," and that if any person acts in contravention of this provision he shall be guilty of an offence against the said Act, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten pounds, and to forfeit any goods upon or in connection with which the emblem or words were used : And whereas it is also enacted that proceedings under the said Act shall not in England or Ireland be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General: And whereas it is also enacted that the said Act shall extend to His Majesty's possessions outside the United Kingdom, subject to such necessary adaptations as may be made by Order in Council: And whereas it is expedient that certain adaptations should be made in the said Act with regard to its application to the Dominion of New Zealand : Now, therefore, by virtue and in exercise of the powers in this behalf by the said Act or otherwise vested in His Majesty, it is hereby ordered by His Majesty, by and with the advice of the Privy Council, as follows : — (1.) This Order in Council may be cited for all purposes as the Geneva Convention Act, 1911 (New Zealand), Order in Council, 1913. (2.) The Geneva Convention Act, 1911, in its application to the Dominion of New Zealand shall be adapted as follows : — (i.) The powers by the said Act vested in the Army Council shall be vested in the Minister of Defence of the Dominion : (ii.) Proceedings under the said Act shall not be instituted without the consent of the Attorney-General of the Dominion. (3.) This Order shall come into force on a date to be fixed by the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand in Council. Almeric Fitzroy.

L-l'j 1914. No. 32.