9
little chance of knowing what goes on. I agree
therefore that it is undesirable to stir this
matter up if it can possibly be avoided. We do
not want to give Nationalist China a fresh cause
of complaint against Hong Kong or a fresh opportuni
ty of raking up all the scandals connected with the
emigration of Chinese labour to British territory.
An additional reason for going slow is
that in a few weeks we shall probably be faced
with a demand for Chinese labour for the New
Hebrides. From the point of view of Hong Kong
and British interests in China generally it will be most important to see that no exception can be taken to any arrangements made, and it might be
extremely awkward to establish a precedent in the
interval for recruitment of Chinese labour to
Sarawak on a two years indenture.
I suggest therefore, we discourage Hong
Kong from proceeding with this matter on their own
initiative. If the Sarawak Government raises the
question, we ought to consult the Foreign Office
as to the possible effect in China, and we ought to
try to get the terms so modified that we could
least put up a plausible case against their being
an indenture.
6.6.27
14/1 2 To Sov. Conf.
cons
G.G.
Задне
B.H.6.
10.6.17.
atonee
17 JUN 1927
at