Mr.Martin 2.5.30 Mr.Gent 2.5. at once.
conson.
(52) 89
52.
72751/30. H.K.
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies
to the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong.
(Sent 9.30 p.m., 2nd May, 1930).
No.10. Secret.
Following telegram addressed by Foreign Office to His Majesty's Minister on 29th April Begins: No.9. Your telegram of April 22nd
I agree to discussion
K
China Customs Agreement.
No.121 Hong Kong between you and Haze as you propose instead of communication being sent to him by Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong.
It seems dangerous to have no communication with him meanwhile as it is important that he should be kept content not to take any drastic action pending a final decision.
For Acting Governor of Hong Kong's view about prevalence of smuggling see his telegram of 14th April to Colonial Office. Important question appears to Colonial Office and to me to be whether smuggling is considered by Chinese Maritime Customs to be on a sufficient scale to warrant organisation of measures against Hong Kong
It would seem from earlier traffic in order to protect revenue.
experience of Customs "blockade" of Hong Kong that if they do the Colonial Government would find it worth while to come to an agreement to avoid consequent loss to legitimate trade, and possibly even organised boycott or other form of political disturbance by which British relations with China in general would be adversely
affected.
Further action as directed on 50.
Whether
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