1
72751/30. PARAPHRASE
TELEGRAM
from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to
.
the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong.
(Seit 11.30 a.m., 19th March, 1930).
280
SECRET.
Your telegram of 20th February Hong Kong-China Customs Agreement. Information regarding Canadian and West Indian measures to which you refer will follow by despatch.
Meanwhile, please communicate to Inspector General of Chinese Matitime Customs for his comments latest draft of Agreement as enclosed in your Secret despatch of 20th November. Exception may, I fear, be taken to parts of the draft in its present form and it may be found impossible eventually to maintain certain of your proposals. You should therefore couch your letter to Maze in most non-committal terms, and should state that terms of Articles 5 and 10 ere at present under consideration by H.A. Government. You should inform him that H.M.Government's final
decision will be delayed until arrival of new Governor in Colony
and receipt of report from him.
Board of Trade are doubtful as to omission of
provision for bonded warehouses from new draft. Copy of their letter is being forwarded to you by mail.