3
6. Gov. Conf
O bono
on issue
licences.
4.3.29
of omnibs
It appears from this that
discrimination in favour of British
omnibuses in Hong Kong is in fact exercised
in the manner we suggested, that is by
influence and administrative action, and not
by any definite regulation.
It does not
appear any change in the procedure would be
possible which would make it less obnoxious
to the Americans. It seems to me that we
might put off the American representatives
at least for a time, by saying that there is
no discrimination by law or regulation against
American omnibuses, and that there is no
restriction in the licences issued. They
may, of course, ask whether in practice the
issue of licences is restricted to British
omnibuses, and we can think about our answer
then.
I would therefore suggest sending a
copy of this to the Foreign Office, reference
No. 5, suggesting that the reply to the United
States Embassy should be as above, if they
concur.
5. Came
12.4.29
"Mr 13.
I fear
cannot put off thinking
about the next stage in the
Controversy.
Surely, it is defensible