BRITISH EMPIRE 395
purpose application with a copy of the play should be made at the Registry of Copyrights, Wellington, and if the play is printed a copy deposited in the Library of the General Assembly; and summary jurisdiction, with power of fine and imprisonment, is then given to the magistrates. To prevent importation, notice may be filed with the Minister of Customs in New Zea- land, or through the London commissioners, as in the case of Australia.
In the other British islands of Australasia and the Australasia Pacific, Imperial copyright exclusively prevails, as a otherwise Fiji Islands' Ordinance of 1903, the only one passed in any of the smaller islands, was disallowed by the Crown.
British India provided a general copyright act in British India 1847, in line with preceding Imperial legislation, and under the press copyright act of 1867, somewhat modified the British Imperial law, especially provid- ing for deposit of three copies in an office to be designated from time to time in the official gazette, within one month from publication, and the print- ing on each copy of the printer's and publisher's names. Quarterly publication of such titles is pro- vided for as part of the official gazette. The general term is as in Great Britain, for life and seven years or forty-two years, whichever is longer, with variations for particular classes of works. Ceylon, Mauritius and Hong Kong have the like term and also provide for three deposit copies. In all these cases one copy is retained by the Secretary of State of the colony, one put at the disposition of the Governor and Coun- cil, and one after registration deposited in a desig- nated public library. Straits Settlement (Singapore) provides for registration without deposit, in the office of Colonial Secretary. To prevent importation into British India, specific notice may be filed directly with
