341
good relations between China and
this country is of course one which
must be borne prominently in mind →→→
lest
case those relations should be
adversely affected by a failure of the
Colonial Government and the Chinese
Maritime Customs to come to any
agreement and by the serious local
friction which might be entailed by
such a failure. It is not however
in Lord Passfield's view either
necessary or desirable at this stage
to force upon the Hong Kong Government
a concession to the Chinese Maritime
Customs which would be bitterly
resented in the Colony, and would in
the opinion of the Governor and his
advisers with their local knowledge
of Chinese officials and their practices vis à vis a
chinese population
would be the cause of constant serious
friction