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China concerned. Among these we would refer to
the necessity for finding employment for the surplus
millions now living on the verge of starvation and
providing a fruitful soil for Bolshevism. Commer-
cial development and new industries are urgently
required and for these a stable currency, improved
transport, river conservancy, telegraphs, telephones
and the honest collection and administration of
revenue, and the honest administration of justice
are essential.
Turning now to matters connected with treaty
revision which specially concern Hong Kong, we would
emphasize the importance to Hong Kong of the Kuang-tung
and Kuang-hsi provinces and particularly of Canton.
The trade of these provinces is vital to Hong Kong
and it is essential that Hong Kong should be able to come to an honourable settlement with a recognized
de facto overnment in Canton. Such a settlement
we believe to be very far from impossible, if the
interests of the vast area of South China served by
Canton and Hong Kong could be differentiated in
policy, as they are in fact, from the even vaster
interests of the centre and North, from which they
are entirely distinct.
Granted then a government in Canton with which treaty revision can be negotiated, we would urge His Majesty's Government to give earnest attention to certain matters which are of vital importance to the
well
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