(
568
(3). Increased commissions to local merchants acting as
middle-men.
Therefore as regards the interests of the Colony it is desirable that the export trade should rest on the widest possible basis, for all the Chinese exports dealt with can be easily and in some cases more easily obtained from Canton and Southern Treaty Ports.
Enquiries reach this Colony from far distant
countries, and if a reply to an enquiry from South America, for instance, must go via the Board of Trade in London its usefulness
will have become considerably prejudiced by the time it reaches its destination, and enquiries are not likely to be repeated since the same information can easily be obtained through other channels.
It therefore appears to me that the prompt dis- -semination of such information is to the best interests of the
Colony and probably of the Empire in time of peace and harmless in
time of war, where exports which can be useful to enemy subjects are controlled by the Government,
I should therefore be obliged if the instruct- -ion could be relaxed in the direction of allowing the continuance of the practice which has been followed, I regret without authori- -tative sanction, of replying direct to enquiries concerning exports. Copies of the enquiries and replies will of course be sent
to the Board of Trade.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
Governor,&c..