A.—2

130

should be inserted after the words "is new." On consideration, I do not think that we can ask them so to limit the Registrar's powers, but it might be pointed out that an investigation into novelty throughout the world would be a verj r wide and a very onerous undertaking. Section 40 : I think the Registrar should be given power to award costs in oppositions to restoration cases. This power is not given under our own Act, and I have found by experience that such a power would be advantageous in certain cases. There is no secret-patent section, but I hardly think that such a section is required in New Zealand. At the Washington convention it was unanimously agreed that an " ayant cause " should have the power to apply for a patent. If Parliament agrees to adopt this, legislation will be necessary in this country. If New Zealand desired to fully conform to the convention it might perhaps be an opportunity to introduce such a provision into the present Bill. It was agreed that " ayant cause " was practically confined to legal representatives, heirs, administrators, &c, and assigns. Trade-marks : The only point which occurs to me under this heading is the omission of any clause with regard to standardization marks. Here again a new article was inserted at Washington in the Industrial Property Convention, by which the countries agreed to protect marks of " collectivites." This includes standardization marks; and if New Zealand desired to carry out fully the obligations of the convention, a standardization marks clause should, I. think, be inserted. Section 127 (1a) : The application under the International Convention for a design or trademark is to be made within six months. In our own case it is four months, and this is at present the time required by the convention. There is probably some reason, however, for the extension, and I do not see that any reasonable objection can be taken. W. Temple Franks, Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs, and Trade-marks.

No. 119. New Zealand, No. 365. My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th October, 1911. I have the honour to request that you will inform your Ministers that the International Sanitary Convention signed at Paris on the 3rd December, 1903, has been ratified by the President of the Portuguese Republic. I enclose a list of the Powers which have previously ratified or acceded to the convention. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. Enclosure. List op Powers Parties to the Paris International Sanitary Convention of 3rd December, 1903. Signatories which have ratified the Convention. United Kingdom, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Montenegro, Netherlands,* Persia, Roumania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United States. Accessions: Sweden, 20th December, 1907; Mexico, 10th June, 1909; Zanzibar, 16th December, 1909; Denmark (except Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Danish Antilles), Ist October, 1910; Norway, 20th May. 1911. No. 120. New Zealand, No. 366. My Lord,— Downing Street, 20th October, 1911. With reference to the discussion at the Imperial Conference on the subject of the double payment of income-tax, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter stating that, in view of the heavy loss of revenue which would be entailed, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury regret that they are unable to accept the suggestion of the Government of the Union of South Africa that the principle which is applied to death duties by section 20 of the Finance Act of 1894 should be extended to the case of income-tax. I have, &o, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

Enclosure. List of Powers Parties to the Paris International Sanitary Convention of 3rd December, 1903. Signatories which have ratified the Convention. United Kingdom, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Montenegro, Netherlands,* Persia, Roumania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United States. Accessions: Sweden, 20th December, 1907; Mexico, 10th June, 1909; Zanzibar, 16th December, 1909; Denmark (except Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Danish Antilles), Ist October, 1910; Norway, 20th May. 1911.

No. 120. New Zealand, No. 366. My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th October, 1911. With reference to the discussion at the Imperial Conference on the subject of the double payment of income-tax, T have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a letter stating that, in view of the heavy loss of revenue which would be entailed, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury regret that they are unable to accept the suggestion of the Government of the Union of South Africa that the principle which is applied to death duties by section 20 of the Finance Act of 1894 should be extended to the case of income-tax. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

* The Nethertand West Indies have withdrawn from the convention.