&
CYPHER CAT/A
ROUTINE OTTAWA
TELNO. 35
RESTRICTED ¿NEUTRAL/
RESTRICTED...
TO HONG KONG
18 APRIL 1969
PA
TOP COP M
814
15
FOR DORWARD FROM GRAY: CANADIAN CUSTOMS VALUATION OF CLOTHING.
I WAS VISITED TODAY BY MR. S.B. HANDLEMAN OF S.B. HANDLEMAN AND ASSOCIATES, OTTAWA. HE HAS BEEN RETAINED BY THE FOLLOWING CANADIAN IMPORTERS TO CONTEST THE RECENT D.N.R. EDICT ON VALUATION OF CLOTHING IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG:
WHITE STAG, EDMONTON. MONARCH SALES AND TRITON, BOTH OF MONTREAL AND THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY. WHITE STAG HAVE A RESIDENT HONG KONG AGENT CALLED MICHEL OF HONG KONG.
2. HANDLEMAN IS GOING TO HONG KONG AROUND 8 10 MAY TO CONSULT WITH HIS CLIENTS' SUPPLIERS. HE IS ASSURED OF THEIR CO-OPERATION
EUT SOUGHT OUR ADVICE ON WHETHER HE WOULD BE LIKELY TO RECEIVE THE
CO-OPERATION OF THE HONG KONG CLOTHING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE. I TOLD HIM, WITHOUT MENTIONING NAMES, THAT YOU WERE IN PROCESS OF ENGAG- ING A CONSULTANT TO ADVISE YOUR EXPORTERS BUT IN VIEW OF THE CBVIOUS
IMPORTANCE AND ADVANTAGES OF CO-ORDINATING THE ACTIONS OF BOTH IMP..
ORTERS AND EXPORTERS I WAS FAIRLY SURE YOU AND THE INDUSTRY WOULD
WELCOME HIS VISIT AND DO ALL YOU COULD TO ASSIST HIM. HE IS QUITE
PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE WITH WHOEVER YOU ENGAGE.
3. PLEASE SAY IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS LINE AND IF I MAY REVEAL STITT'S NAME TO HANDLEMAN SO THAT THEY MAY, IF THEY WISH, GET INTO CONTACT BEFORE THEIR RESPECTIVE VISITS TO HONG KONG.
4. I MAY ADD THAT HANDLEMAN HAD SOME FIGURES FROM HONG KONG WHICH
IMPLIED A 6 8 PERCENT UPLIFT. HE FELT THAT IF THE FICURES APPLIED BY D.N.R. WERE TOO HIGH, THERE WAS NO CHANCE OF THEIR ACCEPTING SO LOW A FIGURE AS 8 PERCENT. HE CLEARLY THINKS IN TERMS OF 20 - 25
PERCENT.
SIR C. CROWE
PASSED TO HONG KONG/
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION
HONG KONG DEPT.
FACT
COMMODITIES DEPT.
REF.
TRADE POLICY DEPT.
NEXT
N.A.V.U,
NNNNN
RESTRICTED
RECIVED REGISTRY N501
21 APR 1969
16
HK1 6/301/1