18
Registry No. 2 OF 485/X/1150.
Draft.
The Secretary
The London Charter of
siri-
618
(25315) Wt 231129 20000 3/18 HJ, Ld (30488] WV 18058/124 10000 8/18
C
357
F.O..
REC
[RF
JAN 9
December
191 8.
Commerce,
1, Oxford Court,
Cannon Street,
E.C.4.
1. With reference to your letter H/B.
of November 23rd regarding a protest from the
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce against the con- trol of Chinese tin in that Colony, I am
directed by Hr. Secretary Balfour to inform
you that the matter has received the careful consideration of the Departments of His Majes- ty's Government concerned.
2. Kr. Balfour considers that the rigid import restrictions in force in the principal consuming countries and the control exercised
by, the Inter-Allied Tin Executive have been
effective in preventing any avoidable ill con- sequences to the transit trade in Hongkong.
3. Mr Balfour is not aware of the date of the telegram fra Hongkong but I am to say that since the signing of the armistice every en- deavour is being made to relax all restrictions in dealing in tin ores in Hongkong which were not in forge at the beginning of the war.