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F
FOREIGN
OFFICE, S.W.1.
29th December, 1926.
41
Sir:-
I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain
to transmit herewith copies of two despatches with
enclosures from His Majesty's Consul General at Saigon in
regard to the discrimination against foreigners in Indo-
China in respect of taxation.
2.
The Secretary of State is advised that there are
no treaty rights which could be invoked as ground for a
diplomatic protest against the discrimination shown to
British subjects as compared with French citizens. I am to
enquire whether the Board are in agreement with that view
and, if so, whether they nevertheless consider that Mr.
Gorton's action in protesting to the Governor should be
approved on general grounds and in view of the fact that
a number of his colleagues appear to have done the same.
I am also to enclose a copy of a further despatch
(No. 29) from Mr. Gorton regarding the grant of preferential
treatment of French vessels in respect of pilotage dues in
the Saigon River. While this matter is distinct from that
which forms the subject of Mr. Gorton's despatches Nos.30
and 31, the principle involved is the same, namely, dis-
crimination against foreigners. The question of these dues
was first raised in 1924, when it was referred to the Board,
who expressed the opinion that no action should be taken
(See your letter C.R.T.3701/24 of the
3.
for the time being.
8th October, 1924).
Their view was based on the consideration
that,
The Secretary
to the Board of Trade.