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the matter appears to have been treated as one affecting merely
the interests of the Colony of Hongkong.
The issues involved are of so far reaching a character
that before further action is taken in the matter I trust the
privilege may be accorded my Committee of seeing both the
Amended Agreement and Sir Cecil Clementi's Despatch covering it,
so that we may once more have the opportunity of considering the
whole question, with a knowledge of the reasons at present
dictating the policy of the Hongkong Government.
In regard to the last paragraph of the Association's
cable from Hongkong, in which it is stated that Messrs. Butterfield
and Swire and Messrs. Dodwell and Co. Ltd., "dissent from above"
I would explain that neither Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, nor
my own firm dissent from the draft Agreement: but from some of
the views expressed by Hongkong in reply to those of the
Association, cabled on 4th December.
I have, etc.,
(Signed) Stanley S.A. Dodwell.
Chairman,