:
PARAPHRASE
Telegram.
See
559
C O
34402
RECO REC 9 JUN
The Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong
to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received Colonial Office 3.45 p.m. 8th June, 1919)
346857
copy
G33112 With reference to your telegram in cipher of
June 5th. Fong Kong is an entrepot for a very large rice trade with all parts of the world. Puyers in foreign countries tranship in Hong Kong and local firs buy as agents for all countries. An enquiry has recently been made for shipment 4000 tons Siam rice to Ceylon presumably this is for Goverment of Ceylon. It would seem probable if embargo is placed on importa-
tion that result would be to our left out) trade
round Colony without achieving object in view and rost serious situation would result. Arrangements have
been made to have always in the Colony sufficient rice
27000 for three months local consumption or about 900 tons. Exports are being carefully watched and steps are taken to prevent experts in abnormal amounts and to keep to the lowest limits exporte to countries such as
Australia which do not normally draw on Hong Kong.
In my opinion it would be in these circumstances very inadvisable to impose restrictions on importation.
SEVERN