11

A.— 2

2. It has been decided to extend the sphere of operations of the Trade Commissioners who are to be stationed at Singapore and Trinidad by the inclusion of certain adjacent foreign territories—viz., the Dutch Wast Indies in the case of Singapore, and the French and Dutch Guianas and certain foreign West Indian Islands, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique, in the case of Trinidad. 3. It will be remembered that in the memorandum enclosed in my despatch, Dominions No. 472, of the 24th July, it was stated that there would probably be a Trade Commissioner in Egypt. It is now, however, proposed that Egypt, owing to its special status, and to the fact that it is at present under the administration of the Foreign Office, shall have a commercial Attache and not a Trade Commissioner. 4. It is also proposed that the Trade Commissioner at Calcutta shall include Ceylon within his sphere of operations, and there will, therefore, not be a separate Trade Commissioner in Ceylon as was originally intended. 5. Instructions have been sent to the Trade Commissioners in Canada and the Union of South Africa to render every assistance possible in connection with any inquiries that may be made by the New Zealand Government, and they have been requested to address their communications to the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce, Wellington, New Zealand. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, p.a, g.c.m.g., m;v.o„ & c .

\ Enclosure. Statement relating to the Extension of the Trade Commissioner Service. Grade. Locality. Canada .. . . . . .. First Grade .. .. Montreal. Second Grade . . .. Toronto. Third Grade .. . . Winnipeg. Third Grade . . . . Vancouver. Australia... .. .. .. First Grade .. .. Melbourne. Third Grade . . . . Sydney. South Africa . . .. . . First Grade . . . . Capo Town or Johannesburg. Third Grade . . . . Cape Town or Johannesburg. New Zealand . . .. . . Second Grade . . . . Wellington. India . . . . . . . . First Grade . . . . Calcutta. Second Grade .. .. Bombay. Other parts of the British Empire . . Second Grade . . .. Singapore. Second Grade . . . . Trinidad. Third Grade . . . . East Africa. In addition there will be one unattached Trade Commissioner, who will be available for special duties.

No. 16. ; New Zealand, No. 40. My Lord, — Downing Street, 12th February, 1918. With reference to my despatch, No. 39, of to-day, I have the honour to request Your Excellency to inform your Ministers that it has been decided to appoint Mr, R. W. Dalton, who is at present stationed at Wellington, to the post of Second-grade Trade Commissioner under the extended scheme for the Trade Commissioner Service. I have, &c, WALTER H. LONG. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, . P.C., G.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.