A.—2

4

And whereas His Majesty has received an assurance from the Italian Government to the effect that the widest protection is granted in Italy to works of British origin, to the authors of which is reserved the exclusive right of every form of reproduction, execution, or representation by any means whatever (including the cinematograph as well as mechanical musical instruments) : And whereas in view of this assurance it is expedient to revoke the provision above referred to in Article (2), proviso (i), of the principal Order : Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, and by virtue of the authority conferred upon him by the Copyright Act, 1911, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered as follows : — (1.) The provisions of Article (2), proviso (i), of the principal Order are hereby revoked so far as they relate to works of which the country of origin is Italy. (2.) In the application of the provisions of Article (3) of the principal Order to works of which the country of origin is Italy the commencement of this Order shall be substituted for the commencement of the Act and for the commencement of the principal Order. (3.) In the application to works of which the country of origin is Italy of sections 1 (2) (d) and 19 of the Copyright Act, 1911, the commencement of this Order shall be substituted for the commencement of the Act and for the passing of the Act in sections 19 (7) and 19 (8), whereever those expressions occur, and the Ist day of July, 1914, for the Ist day of July, 1913. (4.) Where any person has before the date of this Order taken any action whereby he has incurred any expenditure or liability in connection with the reproduction or performance of any work at a time when such reproduction or performance would but for the making of this Order have been lawful nothing in this Order shall diminish or prejudice any rights or interest arising from or in connection with such action which are subsisting or valuable at the said date, unless the person who by virtue of this Order becomes entitled to restrain such reproduction or performance agrees to pay such compensation as, failing agreement, may be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1911. (5.) This Order shall come into operation on the Ist day of April, 1914, which date is in this Order referred to as the commencement of the Order. And the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury are to give the necessary orders accordingly. Almeric Fitzrot.

No. 3. New Zealand, No. 88. My Lord, — Downing Street, 20th February, 1914. I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of a circular letter which has been addressed to Superintendent Eegistrars in this country in regard to marriages between women of British nationality professing the Christian religion and Moslems, Hindus, and other persons belonging to countries where polygamy or concubinage is legal, together with a copy of the memorandum accompanying the letter. I have, &c, L. HAECOUET. Governor His Excellency the Eight Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Sir, — General Register Office, Somerset House, London W.C., 19th January, 1914. The question of marriages contracted in this country under English law between women of British nationality professing the Christian religion and Moslems, Hindus, and other subjects or citizens of countries where polygamy or concubinage is legal has been engaging my attention for some time past. It is quite certain that the legal position of a wife in the country of the domicil of the husband (which in such cases will almost invariably be found to be the country of origin) is very imperfectly understood by British women, and it is desirable that in their own interests they should apprehend as fully as possible the risks and responsibilities attendant upon such a marriage. Provided that there is full legal capacity on both sides according to English law for a projected marriage, a Superintendent Registrar has no power to place any obstacle in the way of a marriage for which due notice is given to him, but in any case of an intended marriage in which the man is a Hindu, a Moslem, or a subject or citizen of a country in which polygamy or concubinage is lawful, the points set forth in the accompanying memorandum, which has been prepared witty the sanction of the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and for India, should be brought to the notice of the women. If after these have been made clear to her she still desires the marriage to take place, the Superintendent Registrar will have no option but to issue his certificate or license for the marriage in due course. I am, etc., The Superintendent Registrar. Bernard Mallet, Registrar-General.