24
in the Schedules hereto, without lawful excuse, the proof whereof shall be on the party charged.
"(2) Any such imported game or native game found in the possession of any person shall be presumed to have been taken or killed by such person contrary to the provisions of this Act, until proof to the contrary is given."
For His Excellency's information the Prime Minister has to state that the Solicitor-General is being asked to advise what amendment, if any, in the law is required to meet the desire of His Majesty's Government, and, should an amendment be required, a Bill will be introduced this Session.
Prime Minister's Office,
W. F. MASSEY,
Prime Minister.
25
[you], to be laid before your Ministers, the accompanying copies of a Circular despatch which has been addressed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to His Majesty's Representatives abroad, inviting representatives of foreign Govern- ments to an International Conference which His Majesty's Government hope to con- vene in order to draw up a Convention with regard to the preservation of wild plumage birds.
2. I shall be glad to learn that your Government are in sympathy with these proposals, and to be informed whether they desire to send representatives to take part in any Conference which it may finally be decided to hold.
39030
No. 23.
I have, &c.,
L. HARCOURT.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
Wellington.
19th September, 1913.
38322
No. 21.
HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTER AT COPENHAGEN to THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
SIR.
(No. 50.,
(Received in Colonial Office, 6 November, 1913.) Commercial.)
Copenhagen, October 22, 1913. WITH reference to your despatch, No. 35, Commercial, of October 3rd, 1913.* on the subject of the International Conference which His Majesty's Government propose to convene with a view to prohibiting the importation of the plumage and skins of wild birds, I have the honour to report that I requested the Minister for Foreign Affairs to inform me privately whether the Danish Government would be prepared to reconsider their previous decision, explaining that, though His Majesty's Government had felt it necessary to refrain from sending an invitation to the Danish Government in view of their definite reply in 1909, a reconsideration of this decision would be most cordially welcomed.
His Excellency, after conferring with the authorities interested, informed me privately that the Danish Government, to their great regret, did not see their way to reconsidering the question, adding that he highly appreciated the consideration shown by His Majesty's Government in desiring to ascertain whether an invitation similar to that addressed to other Governments would be acceptable, for which he desired to express his sincere thanks.
In my official communication to the Danish Government, I have therefore con. fined myself to informing them of the action taken by His Majesty's Government, and explaining why an invitation was not also addressed to them.
I have, &c.,
Right Honourable
37513
Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P.,
&c.,
&c..
&c.
No. 22.
H. C. LOWTHER
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL AND
SIR,
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA.
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Confidential (3).)
(Received 11 November, 1913.)
Governor-General's Office,
Pretoria, 23rd October, 1913. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, with reference to your despatch, Confidential (3), of the 31st July,t a copy of minute, No. 977, from Ministers, dated 21st October, on the subject of uniformity of legislation throughout the British Empire as regards the prohibition of the export of the plumage or skins of non- edible birds.
(Minute, No. 977.)
Enclosure in No. 23.
I have, &c.,
GLADSTONE,
Governor-General.
Prime Minister's Office, Pretoria, 21st October, 1913. WITH reference to His Excellency the Governor-General's minute of 23rd August last (Confidential, No. 54/332), transmitting despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the subject of uniformity of legislation throughout the British Empire as regards the prohibition of the export of the plumage or skins of non-edible birds, Ministers have the honour to state that the matter has been submitted to the Provincial Administrations for consideration, as the matter is one falling under their control, but that no reply has yet been received from the When Administrations of the Cape of Good Hope and the Transvaal Provinces. such replies are received, Ministers will further communicate with His Excellency.
With regard to Natal and the Orange Free State, Ministers further have the honour to state that the Natal Provincial Secretary replies that the Executive Committee of the Province are in favour of the introduction of an Ordinance dealing with this subject; and that the Provincial Secretary of the Orange Free State reports that it is highly probable that a Game Preservation Ordinance will be introduced at the next session of the Provincial Council, in which the prohibition of the export of the plumage or skins of non-edible birds will also be dealt with.
J. C. SMUTS.
42648
No. 24.
SIR,
GOVERNORS. [Answered by No. 26.]
(Canada. No. 837.)
(Australia. No. 680.)
(New Zealand. No. 443.)
MY LORD,
(Union of South Africa. No. 478.) (Newfoundland. No. 310.)
Downing Street, 7 November, 1913.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to [Your Royal Highness] [Your Excellency]
• Enclosure in No. 16.
THE SWISS FEDERAL COUNCIL to HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTER AT BERNE. MONSIEUR LE MINISTRE,
Berne, le 25 novembre, 1913. En réponse à la Note du 8 octobre dernier, nous avons l'honneur de vous informer que nous sommes toujours disposés à nous faire représenter à une conférence
426-48 not printed.
Enclosure in No. 16.
29958
† No. 15.
D