15
Kh anything in the nature of a geanal tarift. There
~
import duties liquors & Tobacco.
are
A
103
HB.
G.G.
question of the tin dredges in the F.M.S. was
therefore decided rather on the peculiar circum-
stances of the case than on any question of the
principle of restrictions on importation. is not, therefore, a precedent which need
necessarily be followed.
It
The Board proceed to discuss further the
introduction of a protective tariff in H.K. They
seem to be strangely ignorant of the importance
absence which is generally attached to the size of
X
any tariff whatever in H.K. in the development
entrefor of the
e trade on which its existence
depends.
I do not think we should consider
the introduction of any Customs Dues whatever.
Certainly it would seem absurd to establish a
Customs Organisation merely for the purpose of imposing a protective tariff on motor omnibuses of foreign manufacture.
It seems clear that we shall not reach
any agreement with the Board of Trade, and I assume from Mr. Amery's minute of the 25th of September
that he is not disposed to compromise.
Further
correspondence with the Board of Trade, therefore,
seems to be a waste of time and we had better now
reply to the Foreign Office direct.
? send F.0. a copy of No.16, ref. No.13, saying that the S. of S. is unable to agree with
the contentions advanced therein, giving reasons
as above, and suggest that the reply to the United
States Embassy should consist in a recital of the
actual facts of the matter as given in the despatch
from the 0.A. G. of the 3rd of July (No.7) and an intimation
interim that H.M.G. in Gt. Britain sees no reason
to