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Government films. One film has already been released on a trial basis by television in New York. This company already buys film from the 35 mm. Weekly Review for incorporation in its own news-reel and distribution throughout the United States. The Embassy is one of the three New Zealand consular offices in the United States, the other two being located in New York and San Francisco. During the year a total of 33 passports and 184 visas were issued by the Embassy, and the. consular work may be expected to increase with the passing of the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act of 1948. The staff of the Embassy has undergone several changes during the last year. The departures included Mr R. B. Taylor, Third Secretary, to the High Commissioner's Office in London; Mr G. R. Powles, Counsellor, to Wellington to take up his appointment of High Commissioner of Western Samoa; and Mr J. S. Reid, Counsellor, to Wellington. Arrivals included Mr G. R. Laking,, Counsellor, and Mr F. H. Corner, First Secretary, both from Wellington. 6. New Zealand Legation, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics The important political function of observation and interpretation of Soviet policy, both external and domestic, has continued to be the principal task of the Legation at Moscow during the past twelve months. The information forwarded by the Legation in the course of its work has been of much value to the Department, for the correct evaluation of the changes and developments in international relations which followed the immediate post-war period is dependent upon studied appraisal of the policy of the Soviet Union and the other Great Powers. Much of this information is contained in the regular fortnightly summaries of current events and the quarterly reports which are despatched by the Legation, but, in addition to these, it has supplied special reports on the more important international developments during the period. Members of the staff have also undertaken studies of significant Soviet institutions, and papers have been prepared and forwarded on a number of subjects in this sphere, including education, health services, living-standards, labour incentives, and various aspects of agriculture and industry in the Soviet Union. The Legation has also been able to forward useful information on political and social developments in the neighbouring East European States. The exchange of information of a cultural, scientific, and technical character between Departments in New Zealand and corresponding institutions in the Soviet Union has been continued through the-