3rdly. Upon the Question how far the propose
Colonial Legislation for Inter-Colonial Trade would infringe existing Imperial Treaties.
12. The Board of Trade have reported that the point could only be raised in connection with the terms of the Treaty between this country and the Zollverein of 1865, extended through the operation
of the "most-favoured-nation" Article to all other countries possessing rights conferred by that stipu- lation.
The VIIth Article of that Treaty which extends the provisions of previous Articles to the Colonies and Foreign Possessions of Her Majesty, contains the following provision:-"In the Colonies and Pos- sessions, the produce of the States of the Zollverein shall not be subject to any higher or other import duties than the produce of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or of any other country
of the like kind."
Upon this point the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown has been requested, and they have reported that this VIIth Article does not preclude the Legislature of a British Possession from imposing on articles, being the produce of the States of the Zollverein, any higher or other import duties than those which are levied on articles of the like kind which are the produce of another British Possession, provided such duties are not higher or other than the duties imposed on articles of the like kind, being the produce of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
H. T. H.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFIOR HT T. HARRISON.—15/5/71.
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