23
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be
returned to the Foreign Ofies If not required for official use.]
Σ
AMENDED COPY.
FROM CHINA.
Decode.
Sir M. Lampson.
(Peking).
November 7th, 1929.
D.
12.45.p.m. November 7th, 1929.
R. 9.00.2.m. November 7th, 1929.
No. 890.
18
Following received from Mr. Aveling No. 219.
Addressed to Peking No. 219, repeated to Shanghai. In discussing Sino-Hongkong customs agreement with Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday conversation turned to general question of coast trade and inland
water navigation.
Dr. Wang confirmed press report that a government
committee consisting of representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of
Communications had recently been established for the purpose of considering procedure to be adopted in regard to withdrawal of cabotage rights enjoyed by foreign
shipping. He himself was representing his department
and the line he proposed to adopt was that, whilst principle of reservation of coastal and inland water
trade for national vessels must be established, modus
vivendi will have to be found to cover transitional
period during which Chinese shipping will be hopelessly inadequate to cope with trade. Solution might be found on the following lines (a) special licences not renewable
to be granted for a period of years to foreign vessels
at present engaged in coastal and inland trade.
(b) Purchase...