J. S. & S. LTD.
2.
January 29th,1930. 27
benefit of pseudo-British Chinese-owned tonnage under the
British flag in Inland Waters trades, which however is
definitely for the benefit neither of real British shipowners
nor British prestige. We cannot too strongly urge upon you our opinion, that it is essential in the future interests
of British trade in China, which so greatly depends on friendly Anglo-Chinese relations, for this Agreement with the
Customs to be completed and that, as the quid pro quo
demanded by Hong Kong stands in the way of this result, it
should not be insisted on.
This culmination has led us, who as sugar refiners
and shipbuilders in Hong Kong are just as vitally concerned
with the prosperity of Hong Kong, as we are as shipowners
concerned with Anglo-Chinese relations as a whole, to call
for two Memoranda on the subject of the Colony, which we
venture to enclose in the hope, that they may perhaps be of some
interest and use to you. In these we have thought it better
to be quite frank. In our view the present administration is
entirely behind the times and what would have passed muster in
days gone by now lends itself to criticism, which we feel ought
to be voiced in the national interest.
In this letter we have dealt mainly with the broader
national aspect of the question and have more or less disregarded
the details of internal administration; but at the same time it
is only right to add, that the shipping community is by no means satisfied, that the Harbour Office is acting in the best
interests of British shipping.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servants
The Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
S.W.1.
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