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APPENDIX B.
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directly to the new Intelligence Branch are most varied and minute. Besides
the ordinary queries as to customs duties, trade mark legislation, &c., they
raise many points of commercial law and practice ; they include questions as
to the condition of markets and openings for new ventures in all parts of the
world, particularly in the British Colonies ; as well as questions relating to
the names of traders and the different classes of goods for which there is a
demand ; they also have reference to the opportunities for tendering for public
and municipal works and contracts.
The Governments of the Colonies will no doubt gladly give material aid
in the collection of this information.
9. The object to be aimed at is twofold—
(a) The regular transmission to this country of such commercial
information as will, if possible, anticipate inquiries.
(ô) The establishment of a recognised system under which such
inquiries as cannot be answered in the Intelligence Branch may
be referred to the Colony to which they relate.
10. As regards the first of these objects, it has been suggested to me, and
I would suggest to your Government, that each Colonial Government should
be asked to communicate by telegraph if the matter is important, or at any
rate by the first mail—in the case of the self-governing Colonies through the
Agent-General’s Office—all changes in the tariff and all alterations of laws
which may affect trade.
11. In any case all reports which bear on the trade and production of a
Colony should be promptly and regularly transmitted, and every effort should
be made to improve these reports, whether they are what are known as the
Blue Book reports, or special compilations of the nature contemplated by
paragraph 20 of the Be port of the Commercial Intelligence Committee
of 1897.
12. With regard to the second object, I would ask you and your advisers
to consider whether arrangements can be made in the Colony under your
Government to charge some one officer with the duty of receiving and
answering the various inquiries which may be addressed to him, either
officially by the new Commercial Intelligence Branch in this country, or
unofficially by merchants and others who may seek advice direct ; in the latter
case the Intelligence Branch should be kept duly informed in the event of
similar inquiries being put to them.
13. In the case of the self-governing Colonies it will no doubt be desired
that all inquiries which are referred to the Colony should be referred through
the Office of its representative in this country.
, I have, &c.
(Signed) J. CHAMBERLAIN.
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