НКК 6/365/7
Reference.
Mr. Stewart
I have written at (2) to Pearson, CRE Department, Board of Trade, requesting that we are kept informed of all future developments concerning the Austrian Legislation.
2. I do not think we need to write to Hong Kong. During David Jordan's visit, this matter was discussed and it was agreed to do nothing until one of two events occurred:
3.
(a)
(b)
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Hong Kong can prove that the Austrian Legislation is the cause of the decline in her trade, and/or
Austria ratifies the Anti-Dumpinx Code, and the Board of Trade decides to make a formal protest about the incompatibility of the Legislation with the Code, in which case Hong Kong will probably wish to be associated with the protest.
Until one of the above events occur, or we have some other definite news, there seems little point in our writing to Hong Kong.
3. Away....
I.R.
12 December 1968
(1. R. Murray) Hong Kong Department
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Minutes of the Meeting held in K. 246
on 6 December, 1968.
Present:-
W. S. 'Carter
1.
H. H. Stewart
I.
1. R. Murray
D. . Sellers)
D. Jordan }
F.0.0.
Hong Kong Government
The following topics were discussed:-
British Sheeting Negotiations
Mr. Jordan stressed the need for decision on this metter,
and sought an early reply to his despatch. Mr. Carter is to speak to Goldsmith (Board of Trade) this week.
2.
Austrian Anti-Dumping Legislation
Hong : eighteen mo:
ports to Austria have fallen over the last
but she is unable to prove that this is due
and
to the new legislation, not to a change in demand. It was agreed to do nothing further on this matter until Austria has ratified the Anti-Dumping Code (she signed the Code on 28 June, 1968).
3.
Italian Consular Endorsements
Mr. Jordan had seen the draft Note Verbale submitted by the Board of Trade, and it was agreed that it was unsatisfactory. He asked that we should telegraph Hong Kong, requesting that he may see Hong Kong's revised version on his return, prior to its despatch to this office.
4.
U.A.R. Consular Endorsements
It was agreed to take no action on this until the situation is clarified by the Commercial Section of our Embassy in Cairo. Mr. Jordan pointed out that Hong Kong's
rade with Libya was also being affected.
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5.
Algeria
Similarly, Hong Kong is awaiting the outcome of enquiries by our Commercial Section in Algiers, before taking action towards e formal protest.
6. South African Anti-Dumping Legislation
South Africa wrote to Hong Kong just before David Jordan left for the U.K., but as yet there has been no South African reply to Hong Kong's formal letter. South Africa has now removed certain Anti-Dumping duties, and has changed t devaluation on certain other items; Mr. Jordan suspects that the latter may be to Hong Kong's disadvantage.
7.
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
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It was agreed that unless we informed Hong Kong to the contrary, she should regard the Isle of Man as falling within U.K. Quota restrictions, and the Channel Islands as falling outside them. Aascision from the Customs and Excise is still outstanding, but seems likely to agree with the above position.
8. Irish Textile Restrictions
Hr. Jordan expressed the hope that though this matter had been dropped from the Agence of the Anglo-Irish Economic Committee, it would not be dropped by this department. He did, however, accept that the timing was unfavourable at present, to raise this matter with the Irish.
1.R. Huway
(I. R. Murray)
10 December, 1968.
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