A.—2

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Chinese Post Office, it has been decided to withdraw the British Post Office agencies in China, with the exception of that at Wei-hai-wei, from the Imperial penny-postage scheme. The Ist October, 1916, has been fixed as the date from which international rates of postage will be charged on letters from the United Kingdom for those agencies, and on letters from the agencies for the United Kingdom and the British oversea dominions, colonies, and protectorates, except Hong Kong and Wei-hai-wei. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.O, &c.

No. 58. New Zealand, No. 729. My Lord, — Downing Street, 13th September, 1916. With reference to my despatch, No. 356, of the 15th May, I have the honour to transmit to Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of (a) a notice which has been published in the Press giving the names of the members of the new Executive Council of the Imperial Institute, all of whom have now been appointed, with the exception of the representative of Newfoundland : (b) a letter from Lord Islington, G.C.M.G, D.S.O, whom the Executive Committee have elected as their Chairman, submitting a report of the Organizing Committee appointed by the Executive Council; this report, which I have approved, indicates the manner in which the Council will conduct its work : (c) a memorandum prepared in connection with the report of the Director of the Imperial Institute for the year 1914 (Cd. 8172-8) dealing with the work of the various branches of the Institute, a copy of which document is also enclosed for convenience of reference. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G, M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. The Executive Council appointed under section 2 (4) of the Imperial Institute (Management) Act. 1916, for the purpose of carrying on the management of the Imperial Institute under the Secretary of State for the Colonies, lias been constituted as follows: — Appointed by the Board of Trade ... ... Sir W. H. Clark, X.C.S.I, CM.G. Mr. H. Fountain, C.M.G. Appointed by the Secretary of State for India... Sir J. P. Hewett, G.C.S.I, CLE, I.C.S. Mr. L. J. Kershaw, CLE, I.C.S. Appointed by the President of the Board of Sir Sydney Olivier, K.C.M.G. Agriculture and Fisheries Appointed by the Government of India ..'. Sir R. W. Carlyle, X.C.S.I, CLE, I.C.S. Appointed by the Government of the Dominion The Honourable Sir George H. Perley, of Canada K.C.M.G, a member of the Canadian Cabinet. Appointed by the Government of the Common-' The Right Honourable Andrew Fisher, High wealth of Australia ' Commissioner for Australia. Appointed by the Government of the Union, of The Honourable Philip Schreiner, X.C, South Africa C.M.G., High Commissioner for South Africa.