B.
Any further communication should be addressed to:-
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY,
at the address given opposite,
The following letter and number should
be quoted:-
0. 8234
Telegraphio Address:
COLASTA, LONDON,
Telephone No.:-1362 Victoria.
BOARD OF TRADE
C O 36017
101
RECE Rra? 8 NOV II
(COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT),
GWYDYR HOUSE,
WHITEHALL,
LONDON, S.W.
7th November, 1911.
sir.
EN 3 Drap
I am directed by the Board of Trade to refer to your letter of the 14th October, transmitting copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, covering a classified list of importers, exporters and manufacturers in that Colony.
In reply thereto, I am to state that the lists in question would appear to have been prepared in consequence of a request, addressed by the Commercial Intelligence Branch of this Department, to their Commercial Correspon- dent in Hong Kong (the Harbour Easter) in November, 1908, for a list of the principal dealers likely to purchase British goods. The present lists, though of a more com→ prehensive character and apparently including other than the principal firms, would, nevertheless, be of appreci- able service to the Commercial Intelligence Branch.
The Board would have no objection to the publica- tion of these lists (which are returned herewith) as a com- mercial undertaking, either in this country or in Hong- Kong, should Mr Secretary Harcourt regard favourably the suggestion made by the Hong Kong Government in this res- pect. But I am to suggest that, in that event, it would
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
probably
i