[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
From CHIA
Decode.
Sir M. Lampson (Peking),
30th June, 1931.
D.
11.35 a.m. 1st July, 1931.
R.
9.00 a.m.
1st July, 1931.
No. 202. (R).
43
Following received from Shanghai No. 85 of
June 29th. Begins :-
Addressed to Peking No. 85, repeated to Nanking.
Following from Inspector General of Customs.
Begins:-
Confidential.
Owing to serious and progressive increase of
organised smuggling in the south and to fact that
since free port of Hongkong is used as a base for
contraband trade it is utterly impossible for
Chinese, Customs to deal effectively with question
cem all
They
unless their activities function in the colony,
the government have reconsidered their former
decision and are now willing to sign customs
agreement with Hongkong . I am instructed therefore
to reopen the question with governor and have
accordingly scat personal secretary to Hongkong to
confer with him on the subject. Will keep you
informed of developments.
Ends.
(Signed) Maze.