Amendments to the Schedule to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, The Hague, 1958

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Circular letter to all Contracting Governments International Whaling Convention, 1946 Amendments to the Schedule

SIR,

I am writing to inform you that the Tenth Meeting of the Commission was concluded at The Hague on Friday, 27th June, 1958. Various decisions were taken at that meeting which will be communicated to you separately.

It is important, however, that you should be notified without delay of the amendments to the Schedule to the International Whaling Convention 1946 which the Commission decided to make at that meeting.

They are as follows:-

Paragraph 6(1). At end of paragraph, omit the words ‘of five years’ and insert the words ‘ending on 8th November, 1964’.

Paragraph 6(2). In the second line amend ‘70’ to ‘60’; at end of paragraph, omit the words ‘of five years’ and insert the words ‘ending on 8th November, 1964’.

These two amendments were passed unanimously by all those Voting.

Paragraph 8(a). In fourth line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59. Paragraph 8(c). In seventh line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59. These two amendments were passed, with one abstention, the Netherlands dissenting.

By virtue of the provisions of Article V of the International Whaling Convention, 1946, each of these amendments will become effective with respect to each Contracting Government ninety days following the notification of the amendments to each Contracting Government, unless any Contracting Government presents an objection to the Commission, in which case the procedure outlined in Article V (3) has to be followed.

The ninety day period referred to will be deemed to have expired on 6th October 1958 and, in the absence of objection by that date, the amendments will then become effective and you will be notified accordingly.

It is particularly requested that you will acknowledge the receipt of this letter. If no objection is received by the date mentioned, it will be assumed that your Government is content that the new amendments shall become effective.

A copy of this letter is being sent to each of the seventeen Commissioners.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

A. T. A. DOBSON Secretary to the Commission

Circular letter to all Contracting Governments International Whaling Convention, 1946 Amendments to the Schedule

The Secretary begs to refer to his circular on the above subject of 1 July 1958 and to ask you to inform your Government that the amendments as set out therein to Paragraphs 6(1) and 6(2) of the Schedule have not been the subject of any objection up to 6 October 1958, and therefore come into force as from that date.

For convenience, these two amendments are set out overleaf.

As regard the amendments to Paragraph 8(a) and 8(c) of the Schedule (which are also set out overleaf), an objection has already been received from the Netherlands Government, as indicated in the Secretary's letter of 19 August 1958, and has since been followed by an objection from the Government of Norway as notified to you in the Secretary's letter of 24 September, 1958. It follows therefore that these last two amendments must remain inoperative for at least an additional period of 90 days from 6 October 1958, that is to say until midnight (24 hours) on 4 January, 1959. Even then, the amendments in question will not be operative against the Netherlands and Norwegian Governments.

A copy of this circular is being sent to each Commissioner.

Operative from 6 October, 1958

Paragraph 6(1). At end of paragraph, omit the words ‘of five years’ and insert the words ‘ending on 8th November, 1964’.

Paragraph 6(2). In the second line amend ‘70’ to ‘60’; at end of paragraph, omit the words ‘of five years’ and insert the words ‘ending on 8th November, 1964’.

Inoperative at present

Paragraph 8(a). In fourth line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59.

Paragraph 8(c). In seventh line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59.

29 JANUARY, 1959

Ref:-AS. X.

Circular Letter to all Contracting Governments Amendments to the Schedule

The Secretary begs to refer to his circular letter of 30th December, 1958 and to previous circulars about the amendments to the Schedule (paragraphs 8(a) and 8(c)) to the International Whaling Convention 1946, and to say that the 30 day period from the date of the last objection having expired at midnight (24 hours) on 28th January, 1959, the two amendments in question (which are set out overleaf) come into operation on 29th January 1959. They are not, however, operative in the case of those countries whose Governments objected within the prescribed time, namely Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan and the U.S.S.R.

In accordance with a standing instruction by the Commission, a reprint of the Schedule showing all the amendments made at the tenth Annual Meeting of the Commission at The Hague, and now in operation, will be sent to you as soon as it can be printed.

A copy of this circular is being sent to all Commissioners.

Amendments to the Schedule which became operative on 29th January, 1959

Paragraph 8(a). In fourth line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59. Paragraph 8(c). In seventh line, for 1957/58 substitute 1958/59.