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FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
13th November, 1929.
(F 5746/52/10)
Reyden Grindle.
The telegram from Shanghai enclosed in our official
letter of to-day's date on the subject of the Hongkong
Customs Agreement appears to indicate that further
negotiations have taken place resulting in an offer by
China to extend privileged Factory Duty treatment to
Hongkong factories. The fact that information with
regard to negotiations on a subject of such importance
continues to reach us only from outside sources is
creating a position of some embarrassment and may
possibly result in grave injury to British interests
generally in China. I hope that representations such
as I suggested your making in my letter No. F 5327/52/10
of the 4th November may have the desired effect.
Sir G.E.A. Grindle, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Errs Bincerely Victor Billedern