I am directed to invite a conference to be held at the Colonial Office to discuss the question of the extension of the lease of the New Territories beyond the year 1997.
The Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for India have already been asked to depute representatives to such a conference, and it is considered desirable that the conference should be held at an early date, so that the views of His Majesty's Government may be ascertained before the despatch of the Governor of Hong Kong, now in preparation, is finally settled.
The matters to be discussed will be of interest to the Foreign Office, as well as to the India Office, the War Office, and the Colonial Office, and it is probable that the conference will be attended by representatives of all these Departments.
It is suggested that the conference should be composed of representatives from the Departments concerned. It might be convenient if the conference consisted of the representatives who in May 1902 considered the transfer of certain lands at Hong Kong.
Mr Brodrick would be glad to learn that Mr Chamberlain concurs in this suggestion.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,