Downing Street.
5th December 1895
852
Sir,
529
I am directed by Mr Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ulto, asking that the notes of the National Bank of China may be accepted as cash at the various Government Offices in Hongkong.
2. Mr. Chamberlain considers that your request may be complied with, provided that the Bank consent to deposit with the Government approved securities to the extent of one third of their total note issues, this condition being required also in the case of the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank & of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, & China.
3. I am to add that if you still wish to have an interview with the Secretary of State he fears he must ask you to postpone it till after Christmas, as his time is at present very fully occupied.
I am,
Sir,
(Signed)
Your obedient Servant,
Edward Fairfield,
To
O. B. Stuart Wortley, Esq. M.P.
(Chairman,
London Committee.
National Bank of China, Ltd.)
21091/95