In any
further communication on this subject, please quote
རིགས་ཐོ?)
No.
F 8554/3/10.
and address-
not to any person by name,
mt to- >
"The Urtler-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
زاد
35
18
20
FOREIGN OFFICE.
S.W. 1.
30th November, 1927.
no14
Sir,
I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to
refer to your letter of the 9th November enclosing copies
(nos(2013)08
16 DEC 1097
Copy Ew. Levret
вор
13
of two despatches from the Governor of Hong Kong and inviting
the observations of Sir Austen Chamberlain on the question
of a possible recrudescence of smuggling from Hong Kong to
China consequent on any increase in duties that may be
enforced in the latter country.
2. The historical summary of the question of the fiscal
blockade of Hong Kong contained in the latter of the two
despatches above referred to appears to show that the
Government of Hong Kong would be well advised to assist the
Chinese Authorities in their endeavours to collect the
It seems
duties on the trade between Hong Kong and China.
desirable that such duties should be collected by the
Chinese Maritime Customs rather than by any native
administration or preventive service, and Sir Austen
Chamberlain observes with pleasure that the Governor is
prepared to modify the attitude towards the Maritime
Customs which has been maintained for many years past by
himself and his predecessors.
3. The danger that tariff autonomy may result in a
large increase in smuggling in native craft and small
steam or motor vessels is one which has not escaped the
attention of this department. So far as Hong Kong is
concerned this danger might be met by endeavouring to
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
arrange
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