A.—6a

9

(6.) That representatives of the Dominions and India should be associated in the work of the Imperial Communications Committee when questions of interest to them are under consideration. (c.) That, in view of the fact that the Dominions interested in the Pacific cable have for a long time pressed for the provision of a State-owned connecting-link across the Atlantic, all possible support should be given by the Governments of the Empire to the State-owned Atlantic cable-route which has now been provided. (d.) That in any concessions given in the British Empire to private enterprise in respect of cable or wireless services (including broadcasting stations) preference should be accorded to British companies of any part of the Empire. (D.) -Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments, including Arbitration Awards. It was decided to adopt the following resolution : — This Imperial Economic Conference take note of the action already taken in many parts of the Empire to carry into effect the proposal contained in 'Resolution XXV of the Imperial Conference, 191], with regard to mutual arrangements with a view to the enforcement in one part of the Empire of judgments and orders of the Courts of justice in another part, including judgments or orders for the enforcement of commercial arbitration awards. While it is recognized that in certain Dominions these matters come within the scope of Provincial or State Governments whose freedom of action could not be bound by any decision of the Dominion or Central Government, the general view of the Imperial Economic Conference is that a universal arrangement throughout the Empire, for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments, including arbitration awards, could, not fail to be valuable and advantageous to trade and commerce, and is accordingly an object at which the different parts of the Empire should aim. (E.) —Imperial Co-operation with reference to Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks. It was decided to adopt the following resolution : — This Imperial Economic Conference have given, careful consideration to the provisional scheme recommended in the Report of the British Empire Patent Conference, 1922, and they are of opinion that, apart from one or two details which might receive further consideration by correspondence between the heads of the Patent Offices, the provisional scheme is a practicable one, and promises considerable advantages to British inventors throughout the Empire ; but, in view of the difficulties felt by the Dominion of Canada as regards the absence of any provision for reciprocal registration of Dominion patents, the Conference feel unable to make any recommendation so far as the selfgoverning Dominions and India are concerned. The Conference, however, unanimously agree that it is very desirable that the provisional scheme should be adopted by the colonies and protectorates, and that considerable benefits would thereby be derived by inventors throughout the Empire. (F.)— Economic Defence. It was decided to adopt the following resolution : —' In view of the vital importance to the British Empire of safeguarding its overseas carrying trade against all. forms of discrimination by foreign countries, whether open or disguised, the representatives of the Governments of the Empire declare — (1.) That it is their established practice to make no discrimination between the flags of shipping using their ports, and that they have no intention of departing from this practice as regards countries which treat ocean-going shipping under the British flag on a footing of equality with their own national shipping. (2.) That in the event of danger arising in future to the overseas shipping of the Empire through an attempt by a foreign country to discriminate against the British flag, the Governments of the Empire will consult together as to the best means of meeting the situation. (G.) —Customs Formalities. (i.) Valuation of Goods for Customs Duty Purposes. It was decided to adopt the following resolutions : — Form A. A common form of invoice and certificate for use by exporters having been adopted by Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and Newfoundland, as well as by a number of colonies, the Conference strongly recommends, in the general interests of inter-Imperial trade, that the early adoption of an identical form may be sympathetically considered by all the other Governments throughout the Empire which levy duty on a system similar to that in force in the above-mentioned parts of the Empire. The Conference understands that legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Imperial Customs Conference has already been passed in Australia and New Zealand, and ventures to urge the passing of similar legislation in every case in which such may prove to be necessary. Form B. The Conference has had before it a form of invoice and certificate which has been prepared as suitable for use in those parts of the Empire which levy duty on the invoice value of goods imported from other parts of the Empire, and require for this purpose a certified statement made by the exporter of the goods.

2—A. 6a.