14370
327
REC?
AREGE 21 AUG 26,
should be forwarded for the information and guidance of the Governor of Hongkong.
Jam, Lin,
your most Obedient
humble servant,
140 fami
Sir,
No. 90.
Sir P. Currie to Mr. Godley.
Foreign Office, July 8, 1886.
THE Earl of Rosebery has had under his consideration the accompanying despatch from the Acting Governor of Hong Kong to Earl Granville, in which he asks for instructions in regard to Sir R. Hart's proposal that opium intended for Macao should pay duty and li-kin at Hong Kong before leaving the bulk.
I am to request you to call the Earl of Kimberley's attention to this matter, and to state that Lord Rosebery proposes, with his concurrence, to inform Lord Granville that, in his opinion, it would be unadvisable for Her Majesty's Government, at the present stage of the question, to express any opinion on Sir R. Hart's proposals beyond that contained in the Memorandum sent to Mr. O'Conor on the 18th February last.
His Lordship considers that these proposals should be discussed, with those which may be put forward by the Hong Kong Government, or by Her Majesty's Legation at Peking, in the Joint Commission appointed under the Chefoo Agreement. Should the Commissioners fail to arrive at a conclusion, the points on which they differ should eventually be referred, with the arguments used on both sides, to Her Majesty's Government for their decision.
I am, &c. (Signed) P. CURRIE.