میٹڈ
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH OCTOBER, 1886.
989
The discussion, which was principally confined to the French, German, and Swedish Delegates, with occasional remarks from the President, lasted the rest of the meeting, and was continued and brought to a close the following morning. As your Lordship will observe, much difference of opinion was developed, and most of the questions were referred to a Committee. I considered that, in view of my instructions, I should abstain in general from taking part in this debate; and the Dutch Delegate, who had declared himself to be in a similar position to myself, and whom I had consulted, was of a like opinion. I did, however, make one observation, which is recorded in the procès-verbal of the third sitting, as to the state of our law in the matter of the registration and the deposit of copies of works and translations.
On the 11th instant the Conference met for a short time to approve the procès-verbaux of the two previous sittings, and afterwards resolved itself into a Committee. I was at first disinclined to attend, but as the Dutch Delegate informed me that he intended to be present, and as M. Droz rather urged me to follow the same course, I have done so for the most part, without taking any part in the dis- cussion, and carefully abstaining from any vote.
No. 21.
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. O. ADAMS.
(Telegraphic.)
Mr. Adams to Earl Granville.-(Received September 17, 12.40 P.M.)
Berne, September 17, 1884, 11.45 A.M.
MAY I sign a procès-verbal submitting and recommending to Governments the adoption of Articles, and expressing certain wishes, but without binding Governments? Misunderstanding might be caused if I abstain from signing.
No. 22.
Earl Granville to Mr. Adams.
Foreign Office, September 17, 1884, 9 p.m.
(Telegraphic.)
ON the distinct understanding that Her Majesty's Government are not bound by any conclusions arrived at, you are authorized to sign the procès-verbal.
No. 23.
Mr. Currie to Mr. Calcraft.
ä
Sir,
Foreign Office, September 18, 1884.
WITH reference to my letter of the 13th instant, on the subject of the signature by Her Majesty's Minister at Berne of the Protocol of the deliberations of the International Copyright Conference, I am directed by Earl Granville to acquaint you, for the information of the Board of Trade, that a telegram was received yesterday from Mr. Adams to the effect that the proposed procès-verbal or Protocol would simply submit and recommend to the respective Governments the adoption of Articles and would embody the expression of certain wishes without binding the Governments, and that as his abstention from signing the Protocol might be misunderstood, he expressed a hope that he might be permitted to sign the procès-verbal to-day.
•
As there was no time to refer the matter for the formal decision of the Board of Trade, Lord Granville thought it advisable to instruct Mr. Adams by telegraph last night that he might sign the procès-verbal on the distinct understanding that Her Majesty's Government would not be bound by any conclusions arrived at.
I am,
(Signed)
&c.
P. CURRIE.
No. 24.
Sir,
Mr. Stoneham to Mr. Currie.-(Received September 19.)
Board of Trade, London, September 18, 1884.
I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, transmitting copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Berne, asking for instructions as regards signing a Protocol of the deliberations of the International Copyright Conference, now sitting in that city.
In reply, I am to state, for the information of Earl Granville, that, upon the understanding that the Protocol merely records the result of the meeting held, and in no way pledges Her Majesty's Gov- ernment to any particular views or legislative action on the Copyright question, the Board of Trade are not aware that there is any objection to Mr. Adams signing such Protocol.
(Signed)
I have, &c.
ALLEN STONEHAM.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.