726

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

ARTICLE XVI.
In case of disagreement between two or more
members of the Union as to the interpretation of the
present Treaty, the question in dispute shall be de-
cided by arbitration. To that end, each of the offices
concerned shall choose another member of the Union
not interested in the affair.
The decision of the arbitrators shall be given by
an absolute majority of votes.
In case of an equality of votes the arbitrators shall
choose, with the view of settling the difference,
another Administration equally uninterested in the
question in dispute.

ARTICLE XVII.
The entry into the Union of countries beyond sea
not yet forming part of it, shall be effected on the
following conditions:-

1. They shall make their application to the Ad-
   ministration charged with the management of
   the International Office of the Union.
2. They shall submit to the stipulations of the
   Treaty of the Union, subject to an ulterior un-
   derstanding on the subject of the cost of sea
   conveyance.
3. Their adhesion to the Union must be preceded
   by an understanding between the Administrations
   having postal conventions or direct relations
   with them.
4. In order to bring about this understanding, the
   Administration charged with the management of
   the International Office of the Union shall con-
   vene, if there be occasion, a meeting of the Ad-
   ministrations interested, and of the Administra-
   tion desiring admission.
5. When the understanding has been arrived at,
   the Administration charged with the manage-
   ment of the International Office of the Union
   shall give notice of the same to all the members
   of the General Postal Union.
6. If in a period of six weeks, counting from the
   date of that communication, no objections are
   presented, the adhesion shall be considered as
   accomplished, and notice thereof shall be given
   by the managing Administration to the Adminis-
   tration joining the Union. The definitive ad-
   hesion shall be completed by a diplomatic act
   between the Government of the managing Ad-
   ministration and the Government of the Ad-
   ministration admitted into the Union.

ARTICLE XVIII.
Every three years at least, a Congress of Plenipo-
tentiaries of the Countries participating in the
Treaty shall be held with a view of perfecting the
system of the Union, of introducing into it improve-
ments found necessary, and of discussing common
affairs.
Each country has one vote.
Each country may be represented either by one or
several delegates, or by the delegation of another
country.
Nevertheless, it is understood that the delegate or
delegates of one country can be charged with the re-
presentation of two countries only; including the
one they represent.
The next meeting shall take place at Paris, in
1877.
Nevertheless, the period of this meeting may be
advanced, if a demand to that effect be made by one-
third at least of the members of the Union.

ARTICLE XIX.
The present Treaty shall come into force on the 1st
July, 1875.
It is concluded for three years from that date.

When that term is passed, it shall be considered as
indefinitely prolonged; but each contracting party
will have the right to withdraw from the Union on
giving notice one year in advance.

ARTICLE XX.
After the date on which the present Treaty comes
into effect, all the stipulations of the special Treaties
concluded between the various Countries and Admi-
nistrations, in so far as they may be at variance with
the terms of the present Treaty, and without pre-
judice to the stipulations of Article XIV., are
abrogated.
The present Treaty shall be ratified as soon as
possible, and, at the least, three months previous to
the date on which it is to come into force. The acts
of ratification shall be exchanged at Berne.
In faith of which the Plenipotentiaries of the
Governments of the Countries above enumerated
have signed it at Berne, the 9th October, 1874.

For Great Britain Wm. Jas. Page.
,, Germany { Stephan,
Günther.
,, Austria { Le Baron de Kolbensteiner,
Pilhal.
,, Hungary { M. Gervay,
P. Heim.
,, Belgium { Fassiaux,
Vincent,
J. Gife.
,, Denmark ... Fenger.
,, Egypt... Muzzi Bey.
,, Spain ... { Angel Mansi,
Emilio C. de Navascües.
,, United States of } Joseph H. Blackfan.
America
,, France ( B. d'Harcourt.
(May 3, 1875.)
,, Greece { A. Mansolas,
Alb. Bétant.
,, Italy ... Tantesio.
,, Luxemburg ... Von Robe.
,, Norway ... C. Oppen.
,, the Netherlands { Hofstede,
B. Sweerts de Landas Wyborgh.
,, Portugal ... Eduardo Lessa.
,, Roumania ... George F. Lahovari.
,, Russia... { Baron Velho,
Georges Poggenpohl.
,, Servia ... Mladen Z. Radojkovitsch.
,, Sweden ... W. Roos.
,, Switzerland ... { Eugène Borel,
Naeff,
Dr. J. Heer.
,, Turkey ... Yanco Macridi.

FINAL CLAUSE.
The undersigned Plenipotentiaries of those Govern-
ments which have this day signed the Treaty regard-
ing the establishment of a General Postal Union have
agreed to the following:-
In case the French Government (which has
reserved the right of an open clause, and belongs
consequently to those parties contracting the Treaty
without having as yet declared their willingness to
adhere to it) should not decide to sign it, this Treaty
shall be no less definite and binding for all the other
contracting parties whose representatives have signed
it this day.
In faith of which the undersigned Plenipotentiaries,
have drawn up the present clause, which shall have
the same value and power as if the dispositions which