A.—2.

Council state that their appointment has been of very great advantage to the Air Ministry in effecting co-operation with the Air Forces of these Dominions, and as a means of facilitating an interchange of views which could not be attained in any other way. As regards the advantages of the arrangement to the Dominions, the Air Council have drawn attention to the remarks of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia in his statement on defence (vide page 173 of Command 2769). 3. In view of the statement by your Prime Minister that New Zealand is anxious to continue air development on lines which are co-operative with Great Britain and possibly with Australia (vide page 185 of Command 2769), the Air Council believe that the appointment of a New Zealand Liaison Officer would offer similar advantages to the Dominion, whilst for their own part they would welcome the opportunity, which such an appointment would afford, for an interchange of views on the many questions affecting the employment of aircraft which constantly arise. 4. In this connection I would invite reference to the late Viscount Milner's despatch, No. 186, of the 29th October, 1919, regarding the duties of Liaison Officers. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c.

No. 25. New Zealand, Dominions No. 261. Sir, — Downing Street, 27th April, 1927. With reference to my telegram of the 22nd April, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, to be laid before your Ministers, a copy of a note from the Italian Ambassador regarding the proposed holding at Rome in October next of a Conference for the revision of the International Copyright Convention, together with a copy of the reply returned thereto on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain. 2. If your Ministers decide to be represented at the proposed Conference, it might be advantageous that an informal preliminary meeting of the delegates from the various parts of the Empire should be held prior to the Conference, to discuss matters of common interest; and it is suggested that if your Ministers agree such a meeting might be arranged to take place in London about seven days before the actual opening of the Conference. I have, &c., L. S. AMERY. Governor-General His Excellency General Sir C. Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., C.C.M.G., 1v.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., &c. Enclosure. [Translation.] Sir, — Italian Embassy, London, 16th March, 1927. At the Conference at Berlin in 1908 to revise the Berne International Copyright Convention (9th September, 1886) for the Institution of an International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, a proposal was unanimously adopted that the next Conference for revision should be held at Rome within ten years at latest from that date. For various reasons, and particularly because of the Great War, the dates in question have had to be prolonged. The preparatory work, commenced in due time with the co-operation of the International Office at Berne, has now been completed, and it does not appear that any further obstacles should arise to prevent the Conference in question at length taking place. Since the necessary documents have already been forwarded by the office at Berne to the Governments of the States participating in the Union, the Italian Government have decided to convoke the International Copyright Conference at Borne in the month of October of the present year.

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