7
14 To Your
15. Gov. Lic
2 Jaby 25
V
313/28
Reports
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The arrangement which we thought was
going to solve this problem has now been upset, as
the former Superintendent, Lau Cheuk Pau, has sent
a little money to Peking and persuaded them to
keep him.
Chen Ching Wen is therefore returning
to Peking, and the position is practically as it
was before the Minister of Communications proposed
to dismiss Lau Cheuk Pau.
The Governor therefore proposes to
close down the telegraph office, but I do not
quite understand why. As there is no question
of recognising a new Superintendent, there is no
need for difficulties with Canton to arise, and
it is not clear why the previous state of affairs
should not continue. It was certainly unsatisfactory,
but the closing of the office would have many
inconveniences and would hardly be an improvement.
I cannot discover in these papers any clear reason
for the Governor's anxiety to close down the office,
and I think we ought to get his reasons clear before
arriving at a decision. Possibly, Mr.Southcombe
may be able to help, and a copy of this might be
sent to him asking for his observations on that point.
If it is not decided to close down the office, there
is just a possibility, if the relations with Canton
continue to improve, that the Cantonese authorities
will agree to the transfer of the office over the
frontier, to which they previously objected.
? Write to M Santhom as propored
5. Came.
orn
6.2.28.