A.—6.

respects the States which ratify subsequently or which accede, and also in cases in which the convention is subsequently put into effect in accordance with Article 11, it shall take effect six months after the notifications specified in paragraph 2 of Article 9 and paragraph 2 of Article 10 have been received by the Belgian Government. Akticle 13. In the event of one of the contracting States wishing to denounce the present convention, the denunciation shall be notified in writing to the Belgian Government, which shall immediately communicate a duly certified copy of the notification to all other States, informing them of the date on which it w s received. The denunciation shall only operate in respect of the State which made the notification, and on the expiry of one year after the notification has reached the Belgian Government. Akticle 14. Any one of the contracting States shall have the right to call for a fresh conference with a view to considering possible amendments. A State which would exercise this right should notify its intention to the other States through the Belgian Government, which would make arrangements for convening the conference. NINTH REPORT. VALUATION OF GOODS FOR CUSTOMS PURPOSES. The General Economic Sub - Committee beg to make the following report to the Imperial Conference on the subject of the valuation of goods for Customs purposes : — The sub-committee have discussed the question whether it is desirable that, in valuing goods for Customs purposes in those parts of the Empire in which the duty is based on the domestic value of the goods in the country of export, any amount allowed as drawback by the authorities of the exporting country should be excluded. Both the general question was raised and also the particular question, which appeared to be of the greater importance, of deduction of drawback (whether of Customs or of Excise duties) from the domestic values of goods in cases where goods might, under the legislation in force in the importing country, become liable to any special or dumping duty by reason of the fact that export prices were less than the domestic values of the goods in the exporting country. It was recognized that any disadvantage sustained in such parts of the Empire by goods produced in or exported from other parts as a result of allowance not being made for drawbacks in the valuation of goods for ordinary Customs duty was, or was at any rate capable of being, largely countervailed under the system of preferences, but that this was much less true with regard to special or dumping duties. It was generally agreed that there were points which might usefully be considered, especially with regard to special or dumping duties, and it is understood that they will be examined in due course by the responsible authorities in the light of the discussion which has taken place. Signed on behalf of the sub-committee. 11th November, 1926. S. J. Chapman, Chairman TENTH REPORT. THE IMPERIAL SHIPPING COMMITTEE. The General Economic Sub-Committee beg to make the following report to the Imperial Conference on the subject of the Imperial Shipping Committee : — The sub-committee, after hearing a statement from the chairman of the Imperial Shipping Committee, and after considering the valuable work which has been done since the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923, as well as the question of future needs, are of opinion that it is desirable that the Imperial Shipping Committee should be continued on its present basis. They recommend the following resolution for adoption by the Conference : — " The Imperial Conference is of opinion that the work of the Imperial Shipping Committee is of importance to the Empire, and that it is desirable to maintain the Committee on its present basis deriving authority from, and being responsible to, the Governments represented in the Imperial Conference." Signed on behalf of the sub-committee. 11th November, 1926. S. J. Chapman, Chairman. ELEVENTH REPORT. IMMUNITY OF STATE ENTERPRISES FROM TAXATION. The General Economic Sub-Committee beg to make the following report to the Imperial Conference on the subject of the immunity of State enterprises from taxation :— 1. The sub-committee have considered whether the time is ripe for the matter of the taxation of the trading enterprises of foreign Governments to be taken up with foreign countries with a view to obtaining general acceptance of the principle laid down by Lord Colwyn's Committee and adopted by the Imperial Economic Conference of 1923.

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