Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1938, Síða 47

THE OSLO CONVENTION AND AFTER
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Government as well, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium,
Mr. Hymans, having expressed his desire to take part in the
preliminary discussions before any agreement was framed. Some
objections as to details were advanced from different sides, in
particular as to the compatibility of the draft with the principle
of the most-favoured-nation clause; but during the discussions
these objections were waived as non-applicable, and with the
agreement of all parties mentioned the Norwegian Government
was able to invite them to an official conference at Oslo on
December xjth. A week later, on December 22nd, 1930, the
convention was signed, in all essentials in conformity with the
original draft.
By this convention the five governments of Belgium (this
government acting at the same time on behalf of Luxemburg),
Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, undertook not
to increase their customs duties or to establish new duties without
giving notice of their intention to the other parties at least fifteen
days beforehand; and if any one of the other parties held that
the duties planned might be injurious to their interests, they would
have a period of ten days in which to communicate objections
and propose amendments; in this case the duties in question were
not to become effective before one month had elapsed after the
communication, thus leaving time for negotiation. A government
protesting would then have the right to denounce the whole con-
vention at fifteen days notice if it thought its interest essentially
injured. Otherwise the convention was to be in force for a term
of six months, tacitly renewing itself if not denounced for further
terms of six months.
Such is the substance of the Oslo Convention from the moment
of ratification until now. It took effect as from February 7th,
1932. By consent of all signatories other governments may be
allowed to adhere to the convention, and by virtue of this provi-
sion Finland became a member of the Oslo Group as from
November i3th, 1933.
It must be openly admitted that the practical obligations
undertaken by the signatories of the Oslo Convention, popularly
designated as the Oslo Powers, did not go very far, and the prac-
tical results of the agreement could not be of great importance in
the economic life of the world. But at a moment when ruthless
economic warfare was prevailing and when even such modest
agreements in favour of a partial truce as attempted by the