PEN!!
PENI!
23.
Hawkers started coming to his office with birds for sale and the
price rises suggested that he was encouraging the trade, so he abandoned this project.
British residents and Service personnel have profited from re-export of birds of prey, and quite recently there were six Chinese Peregrines simultaneously on sale here. But most end their
journey in Hong Kong.
So-called 'exotic' foods serve a wealthy class in the Colony, and in this era of modern drugs there's certainly no need for dubious The Chinese physician says that the Hong Kong masses wouldn't feel deprived if these things were no longer available.
cures.
Dina
I don't think if the source of supply is cut off the people
here will raise a hue and cry and have great objection. I mean if you don't have the source of supply you don't have it! And I think the best thing to do is for, say, the Hong Kong Government
to talk with the Chinese Government across the border to get the
co-operation of the Chinese Government to prohibit exportation
of these things into Hong Kong.
Experience has shown that a unilateral ban by Hong Kong is unenforcible, and it would only intensify curruption.
Chinese persistence with this trade is going to embarrass the
Colony since Britain is now one of the signatories to the IUCN
Convention signed in March 1973 - on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. I asked the Director if Hong Kong
would follow Britain.
Nichols
I would say that we will follow Britain. There may be modifications. There may be time problems in implementation. But I think that we will follow the lead set by Britain.
Penn
Commitment to this Convention must force an approach to China
on the matter.
Nichols
One would assume it would be done between London and Peking,
yes. And of course if China subscribes to the Convention automatically then it would take care of itself - there would be no need for discussions, the implementation would be
automatic.