of course, quite unjustified and highly exaggerated but it is
nevertheless real and, having regard to the insecurity of Hong Kong's
position on the edge of China, must be handled with understanding.
Ironically one of the issues that is currently a source of strong
dissatisfaction in Hong Kong is HMG's recent decision to impose a
15% tariff on Commonwealth cotton textile imports. In the past we
have been criticised for restricting Hong Kong's trade by quotas;
now that we are abandoning quotas in favour of a tariff we are once
more criticised. We do not think Hong Kong's cotton textile trade
Hong Kong is chiefly
with the UK will vary much in volume as a result of this change,
although there may be changes of pattern.
aggrieved (as are a number of other Commonwealth countries) because
of a failure to consult before the decision was taken.
29 July, 1969
b. Carte
(W. S. Carter)
Hong Kong Department
Mr Catter
Thank you
I would have preferred
that the point in the
had not been made
last sentence
but regret
I did not receive these notes i
this
time to make
before
the meeting.
рай
point to you
27/4
Sur