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Sir,
Peking, March 7, 1913.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's Despatch of the 8th. ultimo in which you are good enough to enquire my views regarding the continuance of the practice whereby the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce addresses His Kajesty's Minister at Peking direct on questions affecting British interests and the Dean of the Diplomatic Body on matters of international interest.
On referring to the archives of this Legation I find that in a Despatch addressed to the Colonial Office on September 16, 1888, Sir C. Bowen, then Governor of Hongkong, stated that the practice by which the Chamber of Commerce addressed Her Majesty's Minister direct appeared to have originated when Sir Thomas Wade represented Her Majesty's Government at Peking. Both he and his successor Sir H. Parkes, had formerly resided for many years at Hongkong and were personally acquainted with the general state of affairs in the Colony and with the leading members of the Chamber of Commerce. The practice continued during their tenure of office but before his death Sir H. Parkes felt that it was irregular and might lead to grave public inconvenience when- -ever a new linister should be appointed to China who would necessarily be imperfectly informed respecting the Colony. Unofficial correspond- -ence passed between Sir H. Parkes and Sir G. Bowen and, in submitting his views in the Despatch referred to above, Sir G. Bowen recommended a return to the rule that all correspondence between persons or public bodies in the Colony and Her Liajesty's kinister at Peking should pass
through the Governor.
In forwarding a copy of Sir G. Bowen's Despatch to the Foreign Office the Secretary of State for the Colonies expressed the opinion that much inconvenience or evil might arise if the views of important but irresponsible persons or bodies in a Calony were considere
by Her Majesty's Ministers at Foreign Courts without a knowledge of the views of the Colonial Government and he invited the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to join in giving such instructions as might be