(15190/12).
214
consider whether, in view of the abstention or
refusal to sign on the part of any state or states,
it is possible to proceed to the ratification of the
Convention. If it is decided at this Conference to
ratify the Convention, some months must necessarily
elapse before all the ratifications can be deposited,
and even the bills of laws to give effect to the
provisions of the Convention need not be presented
to Parliament till nine months after the date on
which the last instrument of ratification has been
received.
It therefore seems probable that it will be
1
nearer two years than one before His Majesty's
Government will have to bring in a bill on the subject.
In these circumstances Sir E. Grey is of opinion that
it would be wiser to defer the consideration of the
legislation involved until it is known that the
Convention will be ratified.
With regard to Mr. Harcourt's suggestion that
this Department should take the initiative in inviting
the
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