77

A.—2

Where any part of the residence relied upon is residence in any British possession the Secretary of State will be prepared to accept a declaration made in that possession which is proved to him to be of a binding character. In such eases, however, if possible, either the declarant should be a responsible public official in the possession or the declaration should be accompanied by a written statement made by such an official as to the position and credibility of the declarant. If this is not done delay may be entailed whilst independent inquiry is made. 7. The statements in (he memorial must, in addition, be verified generally, and the good character and loyalty of the applicant must be vouched for by statutory declarations made in like manner by four persons, each of whom must be— (a.) A householder; (b.) A natural-born British subject; and (c.) Not the agent or solicitor of the applicant. These particulars, and also the declarant's place of residence, his occupation, and the period during which he has personally known the applicant must lie set out in the declaration. The declaration may be made by the declarants jointly or by each separately. In the case of a joint declaration each declarant must state separately with regard to himself the particulars under headings (fl), ('<), and ('') above. The person who makes a declaration lor the purposes of Article 6 of these instructions may also, if he is a householder, make a declaration for the purposes of this article. 8. A declaration made for the purposes of these instructions must not be made before a person who is the agent or solicitor of the applicant. 9. The memorial to whieli any declaration made for the purposes of these instructions relates must be made an exhibit to the declaration in such a way as to make it clear that the declaration does relate to that memorial. 10. The statements in the memorial and the declarations will be made the subject of independent inquiry directed by the Secretary of State. 11. The fees payable in respect of the grant of a certificate of naturalization is £3, of which £1 is payable on application for a certificate. No application will be considered until the payment of £1 is made. This fee cannot in any circumstances be refunded. The remaining £2 is not payable until an intimation that the certificate will be granted is received. Cheques cannot be accepted. Post Office orders or postal orders should be made payable to the Accounting Officer, Home Office, at the Charing Cross Post-office, and crossed " Bank of England: Account of Paymaster-General." Other fees necessarily involved arc the usual fee to the Clerk to the Justices or the Commissioner for Oaths, as the ease may be, for each statutory declaration, and a fee of 2s. 6d, when, the certificate having been granted, the oath of allegiance is taken. 12. When a certificate is granted further instructions as to taking the oath of allegiance and having it registered in the Home Office will be issued. 13. The above instructions are not applicable in the case of persons relying on service under the Crown, or where the certificate sought comes within one of the following exceptional classes—viz., certificates of naturalization which the Secretary of State is empowered to grant — (a.) To persons with respect to whose nationality as British subject a doubt exists (section 4 of the Act); (b.) To minors in special eases (section 5 of the Act); and (c.) To persons who have been naturalized under repealed Acts (section 6 of the Act). Special instructions should be applied for by persons desiring any of these certificates. Home Office, January, 1.914. N.B.—lf the foregoing instructions are not closely observed the papers may halve to be returned for amendment, involving delay and possibly additional expense. Suitable forms of memorial and declaration are sold by many law stationers.

No. 79. New Zealand, No. 4. My Lord, — Downing Street, sth January, 1915. With reference to my despatch, No. 231, of the 29th May last, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a revised list of Trade Representatives in foreign countries of the Governments of the self-governing dominions. 2. I should be glad to he furnished with a list of the Trade Representatives, if any, appointed by your Government in other parts of the Empire. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.0.M.G., M.V.0., &c.