the new arrangements, Ministers and Charges d'Affaires ad interim continue to have the precedence previously accorded to them —that is to say, they follow the new category of Ambassadors and High Commissioners. From the date of the presentation of his credentials on 22 December, 1948, the Ambassador of the United States of America became Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Up till this time the Minister of Belgium (Mr Armand Nihotte) was Acting-Dean during the absence of the Dean, Mr Armand Gazel (Minister of France). Mr J. B. D. Pennink presented his letters of credence as Minister of the Netherlands on 4 November, 1948, succeeding Dr A. F. H. van Troostenburg de Bruyn, whose death occurred in Holland some months after his departure from New Zealand in January, 1948. Dr W. Arriens acted as Charge d'Affaires ad interim until the arrival of the new Minister. Early in March, 1949, the agreement of the New Zealand Government was given to the nomination of Mr Alexander M. Alexandrov as Minister of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to New Zealand, in succession to Mr Ivan K. Ziabkin, who departed from New Zealand in August, 1947. Until the new Minister's arrival in New Zealand, Mr Pavel K. Ermoshin will continue to act as Charge d'Affaires ad interim. Mr Henry Rollet has been Charge d'Affairs ad interim of the Legation of France during the year under review. Mr Karl I. Eskelund, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Royal Danish Legation at Wellington, left New Zealand for Denmark on leave late in March. There have been no changes in the representation of countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations in New Zealand during the year. In April, 1948, a Consulate of the Argentine Republic was established at Wellington, and in December the Consulate of Italy was reopened. This brings the number of career Consulates at Wellington to five. Altogether, twenty-five foreign and Commonwealth countries are represented in New Zealand by diplomatic representatives, High Commissioners, Consuls of Career, and Honorary Consuls. In addition, the consular or trade representatives in Australia or the United Kingdom of five other countries not otherwise represented here exercise jurisdiction in New Zealand. There are at present thirty-nine consular offices of foreign Governments throughout New Zealand, the majority of which are, of course, headed by honorary consular representatives. A total of twenty career and honorary consular offices was recognized by the New Zealand Government during the year.

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