In any further communication on this subject, please quote
No.
and address-
5746/52/10
not to any person by name,
but to
The Under-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.1.
Sir,
62847/2, N11 (5) 112
324
FOREIGN OFFICE,
S.W.1.
13th November, 1929.
१
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Henderson to transmit
herewith, to be laid before Lord Passfield, the accompanying
copy of a telegram from the British Chamber of Commerce
at Shanghai to the China Association in London on the
subject of the proposed Agreement between China and the
Government of Hongkong relative to the Chinese Customs
In leaving a copy of this telegram at the
Foreign Office Mr. Dodwell, Chairman of the China
Association, expressed a desire to be favoured with the
views of the Foreign Office before sending a reply.
Administration.
2. If Lord Passfield sees no objection, Mr. Henderson
proposes to cause Mr. Dodwell to be informed that the
proposed agreement, even apart from Article V which refers
to inland water navigation, would appear to confer very
considerable benefits both on Hongkong and on China, that
the conclusion of such an agreement, besides benefiting
British commercial interests generally, seems calculated
greatly to strengthen the position of the Chinese Customs
Administration, and to have a beneficial effect on the
relations between Great Britain and China. With regard to
Article V the fears expressed by the Shanghai Chamber of
Commerce would appear to have no real foundation. It is
already admitted in principle that the conditions under
which British vessels may in future participate in the
coastal and inland water trade must be settled in
negotiation with the Chinese Government. The extension of
The Under-Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
inland/