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17th June,1910.
bonf. 28 April.
1.G. Conf. 4. May
* Lugards. 6. June
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Sir,
I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to trans- mit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Groy the accompanying despatches from the Governor of Hong Kong and Sir F.H.May with regard to a proposed Customs Convention between the Colony and the Chinese Government. A letter from Sir F. Lugard on the question of the position of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Custome is also enclosod.
2. Should Sir E.Grey see no objection to the conclusion of the Convention, Lord Crewe proposes to inform the acting Governor by telegraph that he approvos generally the draft convention, but that aftor consulting Sir F.Lugard, he considersit un- desirable that the right of the Imperial Maritime Customs to a station in Hong Kong territory should be unreservedly recognised, and that he would there- foro suggest that in articles 4 (c) 6, and 7, of the draft words to the effect "so long as that sub-office is permitted" should be inserted after "Shamshinpo". His Lordship proposes to add that Sir F.H.May may informe Mr.Harris that so far as can be foresem at present the sub office will de facto be allowed to remain in Hong Kong territory but that His Majesty's Government wish to preserve the existing condition of affairs by which the existence of the Imperial Maritimo Cus- toms stations on British territory is not officially recognised.
3.Lord