85
D)
(
glad of information with regard to merchants' views.
79
December 20th.1920: Bir B. Alston to Sir R. Stubbs (semi-official) Suggests that as it is now too late to take the views of the Conferen- oe of Chambers the Commercial Secretary at Hongkong should with the Governor's approval consult the Chamber of Commerce at longkong on the subject.
January oth.1921: Sir B.Alston to Commercial Secretary, llongkong (Lr.E.G.Jamieson): Telegram: Instructs him to take above action if Sir R.Stubbs has no objection.
January 17th..1921. Ir. Jamieson to Sir B. Alston: Telegram and letter: Has discussed matter with Governor, who sees no reason for consulting Chamber. Sir R. Stubbs considers that he already knows views of commercial community and in any case would not be prepared to agree to a tax on salt. 3ir R. Stubbs has informed him confidential -ly that the Colonial Secretary has been in touch with the Canton authorities and that there was reason to hope that another agreement, having no reference to salt, would be brought forward. Kr.vamieson had not consulted the Chamber, but from private enquiries gathered that the majority of merchants were not in favour of the agreement.
January 24th 1921. Sir F. Aplen to kr. Rose (semi-official): States that so far as he knows Chinese Government is not likely to bring forward any revised agreement. The reference in lir.Jamieson's letter may be to conversations between the Colonial Secretary at Hongkong and Kr. Harris, but the latter is now stationed at Amoy and has no authority whatever to touch the matter.
February 21st.1921: Sir R. Stubbs to Sir B. Alston (Semi- official): Replies to linister's Jatter of December 20th 1920: states that he understands that Inspector-General is considering suggestions put forward informally for modifying agrement: that lir. Jamieson fhad left Hongkong and could not, therefore, consult the Chamber of Commerce; that the Chamber would probably support the agreement as the merchants would get some thing-although very little - out of it, but that he (Sir R. Stubbs) was not prepared under any circumstances to agree to tax the food of the poor. He also express the view that as
the question at issue concerned the trade in Kuangtung it was useless to attempt to deal with it by means of an agreement negotiateḍin