Economic and financial section > Draft convention for the purpose of facilitating commercial propaganda

[Communicated to the Council
and the Members of the League.]
Official No.: C. 271. M. 138. 1935-H.B.
Geneva, July 15th, 1935.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
DRAFT CONVENTION FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FACILITATING COMMERCIAL PROPAGANDA
MEETING OF GOVERNMENT DELEGATES FOR THE EXAMINATION
OF THE DRAFT CONVENTION
Held at Geneva, July 1st to 4th, 1935.
NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.
At the London Monetary and Economic Conference, Sub-Commission III, B, expressed the
opinion (see document C.435.M.220.1933.II.B, page 30) that, as regards certain questions of
Customs formalities, the work of the Economic Committee of the League jof Nations was suf¬
ficiently advanced to allow of the convening of a special Conference on these matters at an
appropriate date. The Bureau of the Conference accordingly authorised the President of the
Economic Commission to take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption of such proposals as
had reached a sufficient degree of maturity.
Prior to the London Conference, the Economic Committee had proceeded to a consultation
of the competent departments in all countries with a view to ascertaining their opinion on a
number of proposals which were intended to be taken as the basis for draft Conventions laying
down common rules in regard, amongst other things, to the clearance through the Customs of
samples without saleable value and printed matter for use as commercial propaganda.
On being consulted as to the best method of giving effect to the decision of the Bureau of
the London Conference, the Economic Committee first proceeded to review and amplify the
former proposals and combine them in the form of the chief provisions of a draft international
agreement. Having done this, it suggested that the President of the Economic Commission
should submit the draft, for consideration, to a number of Governments, the co-operation of
which appeared to be necessary and for the choice of which it indicated various criteria (document
C.643.M.306.1933.II.B, page 6).
In a letter dated November 23rd, 1933, the Secretary-General submitted this draft to the
Governments designated by the President of the Economic Commission, while at the same
time requesting them to send representatives to a meeting, the date of which was to be fixed
later, for the purpose of finally examining the text.
As the results of this consultation showed that there were reasonable prospects of ultimate
agreement, the Secretary-General, in a letter dated April 8th, 1935, invited the Governments
consulted to send representatives to a meeting to be held at Geneva on July 1st, 1935, with the
object of finally reviewing the draft which, if approved, might then be recommended by the
delegates to their respective Governments for signature.
This meeting closed with the signature of a joint declaration regarding the draft Convention
as revised and amplified by the delegates. The texts of the declaration and draft Convention
are appended to the present note.
The Secretary-General will place the question of the action to be taken with regard to the
draft adopted at the meeting in July 1935 on the agenda of the next session of the Council.
Series of League of Nations Publications
II. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL
1935. II. B.9.
S.d.N. 1.260 (F.) 1.050 (A.) 7/35. Imp. Kundig.