A.—2.

10

No. 12. New Zealand, No. 66. Sir, — Downing Street, 11th April, 1928. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 154, of the 24th March, I have the honour to transmit, for the information of your Ministers, copies of a parliamentary question and answer of the 4th April regarding New Zealand's contribution to Imperial defence. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LLD., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.Y.0., &c.

Enclosure. [Extract from Official Report, dated 4th April, 1928.] Imperial Defence (New Zealand's Contribution). 11. Mr. A. M. Williams asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Government of New Zealand has offered to make any additional contribution to Imperial defence, and, if so, of what nature ? The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Bridgeman) : In 1924 the New Zealand Government undertook the entire maintenance of the oil-burning cruiser " Dunedin " in place of the coal-burning cruiser " Chatham," which they had been maintaining since 1920. In 1925 the New Zealand Government further undertook the entire maintenance of a second oil-burning cruiser, the " Diomede." Quite recently, as stated in my speech introducing the Navy Estimates, New Zealand has made the generous contribution of £1,000,000, to be paid in eight equal instalments, towards the construction of the dock at Singapore. I was wrong in saying that New Zealand was to maintain an additional cruiser. It is anticipated that when the existing cruisers are eventually withdrawn they will be replaced by two B class cruisers to be wholly maintained by New Zealand.

No. 13. New Zealand, No. 69. Sir,— Downing Street, 16th April, 1928. With reference to paragraph 8 of the Duke of Devonshire's despatch, No. 225, of the 30th October, 1923, regarding the position in the event of war of men of the Army Reserve who are resident in the Dominions, I have the honour to state that I am informed by the Army Council that cases have occurred where Reservists have been enlisted into the forces of a Dominion without any notification being transmitted to Officers in Charge of Records concerned in this country. 2. The Army Council state that it is the practice to discharge such Reservists from the Army Reserve as soon as it is found that they are serving in a Dominion Force, but in some cases a considerable period elapses before any notification of enlistment is received, and normally this fact is only brought to light by reason of the Reservist himself notifying his change of address. 3. The Council would be glad if arrangements could be made to notify Officers in Charge of Records of such enlistment and the date of enlistment, in order that the necessary action regarding discharge from the British Army Reserve may be proceeded with. 4. A similar despatch is being sent to His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Union of South Africa, and Newfoundland. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.