3
In the reply to this Letter the following Number should be quoted.
10613
89
C. O.
168 1423
TREASURY CHAMPĒRS,
24 JUN 89, 21 June 1889.
Sir,
I, am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you for the information of Lord Knutsford, that the Returns of British, Hong Kong and
Indian Trade with China for 1885 and 1888, respectively, show a remarkable falling off in the Indian Trade- thus
British Trade
Hong Kong
辈
Indian
1
1885 Taels
1888 Taels
45,983,873
51,442,337
16,737,348
47,093,616. 103,392,264.
7.664,722.
It has been suggested to My Lords by the Foreign Office that this falling off may be due to a diversion of the Trade between India and China into the Hong Kong Chan- nele. The question is of importance in its bearing on the proportion of the charge for Diplomatic and Consular Estab- lishments in China that is fairly chargeable to India; and My Lords would be much obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies would cause Them to be furnished with any statistics procurable showing the amount of Indian Trade with China that passed through Hong Kong in 1885 and 1888,
respectively.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Suwelby
The
Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
GA