Referring to the letter from this office of the 27th of February last, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to inform you that, having considered the draft ordinance "for the regulation of Chinese passengers on voyages of not more than seven days duration", which was forwarded in accordance with instructions by the Governor of Hongkong, and having consulted the Marquess of Salisbury on the subject, he has instructed the Attorney General, Sir Richard Jenner, to withdraw the bill, thereby concurring in the advice which was tendered to him by the Hongkong Government.
Mr. Chamberlain is confident that the China Association will use their endeavours to discountenance such overcrowding on British-owned vessels as gave rise to the present correspondence.
Foreign Office or Individual.
Date. 1896 16 June
Previous Paper. No. 7908 Confidential Print (Canton) 136:19 June HongKong No. 12816 Canton
(Subject.)
DOMESTIC.
12816 RECEIVED 17 JUN 96.
Forwards despatch from Peking enclosing extract from Intelligence Report of British Consul concerning anticipated rising in the province.
Next subsequent Paper. No. 2701
(Minutes.)
Mr. Fairfield - nothing much in this.
CP.J 17 June 96.
Original Enclosures returned to 20/31st.
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