(29416/10).
Sir:
Gor
20713
FOREIGN
550
23130
OFFICE
FOREIGN OFFICE
August 23
2018010
I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknow-
2+ ledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant
in regard to the request of the Government of Hongkong
that representations may be made to the Japanese Gov-
ernment with regard to the customs duties proposed to
be levied on sugar imported into Japan.
Sir E. Grey is of opinion that, except possibly
at some later stage of the present Treaty negotiations,
a request for a reduction of this duty could not with
advantage he submitted to the Japanese Government and
he would therefore suggest that the Government of
Hongkong should be informed that His Majesty's Govern-
ment do not consider that representations on the
point raised by them would be attended with any use-
ful result.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
I