A.—6a

8

(iii.) Trade Catalogues. This Imperial Economic Conference proposes that, where freer admission of catalogues and price-lists is not provided for, single copies of trade catalogues and price-lists of firms having an established place of business within the Empire, sent by post, or with consignments of goods, from any part of the; British Empire, to business firms in any other part of the British Empire, should be admitted free of duty, provided that they are the trade catalogues or price-lists of firms or persons having no established place of business in the territory to which they are sent. (B.) —Statistics. This Imperial Economic Conference, recognizing the importance of rendering the trade statistics published by the Government of the United Kingdom as valuable as possible with reference to the development of inter-Imperial trade, recommends that the United Kingdom Board of Trade, after reviewing the statistics in question from this point of view, should draw up a detailed scheme and submit it to the Governments of the several parts of the Empire for their consideration. (C.) Imperial Communications. (i.) Shipping. (a.) Imperial Shipping Committee. It was agreed to adopt the following resolutions :— (1-) That this Imperial Economic Conference desires to convey to Sir Halford Maokinder, as Chairman of the Imperial Shipping Committee, and to the members of that Committee, an expression of its appreciation of the very excellent work which they have done during the period of the Committee's existence, both in the interests of the commercial and producing communities, and of British citizens generally. (2.) That this Imperial Economic Conference is of opinion : — (I.) That the work accomplished by the Imperial Shipping Committee is convincing proof of the wisdom of its establishment, and that it is of the highest importance to the Empire that this work should continue. (2.) That it is therefore desirable to maintain the Committee on its present basis, deriving authority from, and responsible to, the Governments represented in the; Imperial Conference. (b.) Carriage of Goods by Sea. It was agreed that the following resolution be adopted : — This Imperial Economic Conference, having examined the Rules relating to Bills of Lading recommended by the International Conference on Maritime Law held at Brussels in October, 1922, and embodied in the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill now before the British Parliament, is of opinion that in all essential principles they are based upon the Canadian Water Carriage of Goods Act, 1910, and the Report of the Imperial Shipping Committee, 1921, and, believing that there is a good prospect of international agreement in regard to bills of lading on this basis which would be of benefit to every part of the. Empire, considers that these rules can bo reoommended for adoption by the Governments and Parliaments of the Empire. (c.) Shipping Taxation. It was agreed that the recommendations put forward in the Report of the Shipping Taxation Committee* be adopted. (ii.) Air Communications. It was decided to adopt the following resolutions : — (1.) That the British Government should circulate to the Dominions and India a statement showing the present anticipated operational, performances of rigid airships, and in the future should circulate regularly up-to-date information of the progress of the Burney airship proposals in order that consideration of Empire participation in these or future airship proposals might be facilitated. (2.) That the British Government should prepare a draft procedure designed on a reciprocal basis to secure more rapid and more extensive interchange of information in regard to civil aeronautics, and should submit this for the consideration of the other Governments of the Empire with a view to genera) adoption. (3.) That, having regard to post-war developments, any British oversea countries which have no up-to-date experience of air photography and contemplate the use of air survey would be well advised, whenever possible, to consult other Empire Governments having such experience before accepting estimates or schemes providing for its use. (iii.) Cables and Wtreless. It was agreed that the following resolutions be adopted : — (a.) That this Imperial Economic Conference affirms the importance of establishing as quickly as possible an efficient Imperial Service of Wireless Communication, and is of opinion that the several Governments of the Empire should take immediate action to remove any difficulties which are now delaying the accomplishment of this, while providing adequate safeguards against the subordination of public to private interests.

* Woe page 169,