(Copy) M.14175.
Ref. M.12990.
Sir,
8, Billiter Square, London, E.C.
22nd May, 1916.
188
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 16th inst.
As stated in my letter of '18th February to our Hong Kong Chairman it was left to our Conference Representatives in Hong Kong, China and Japan to fix the articles which should come under the description of luxury &/or necessary cargo, and mainly for the purpose of ensuring that nothing should be so classified which would be required for the purpose of the manufacture of Munitions or any other War material, to confer with the Colonial Autnorities for guidance in the matter.
I have since been advised by our Hong Kong Chairman that so far as Hong Kong and China are concerned the following articles have been so classified and have had their rates of freight increased accordingly :-
"Blackwoodware, Curios, Camphorwood
"Trunks, Chinaware, Cigars, Fans (Palm "Leaf Fans (not Leaf) Firecrackers, "Ginger (wet & dry), Glass Bangles, Gongs "Human Hair, Joss Sticks, Lanterns (wood),
Lily Bulbs, Chinese Rice Paper, Preserves, "Shells (M.O.P. & Common) and Tobacco.
"Sandalwood.
"Silk Piece Goods.
"Waste Silk and pierced Silk Cocoons. "Silk Cocoons (unpierced).
With regard to the possibility of Silk and Waste Silk
being required in connection with the manufacture of Munitions
would mention that they were brought under an increased rate of freight at the special request of the Messageries Maritimes de France.