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telegram, but any attempt to pass it hurriedly through Council without giving sufficient time for consideration would have intensified feeling very much against it by enlisting the sympathy of even the supporters of the measure, and have made the whole Community suspicious of Government.
4.
The Commissioner of Customs is not yet ready to surge ... moreover not yet ... but the new arrangement has no office or Warehouse in Chemike Kowloon, and I believe there are no suitable buildings that might be adapted to that purpose. There was therefore urgent reason for not pressing too strongly the second reading of the Bill in the face of the strong public feeling in favour of an adjournment.
This Government, in the meantime, is doing everything in its power to loyally help China. The Arms Bill recently passed enabled the Government to prevent the assembling of armed bands for the purpose of smuggling; a large quantity of arms recently seized, although it could not be confiscated, was not given up until much trouble had been given by obtaining proof of merchandise; and an action was threatened...