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Communication Company's hands. I emphasise this point
because authorities are apt to visualise colonial communica-
tions as something in the form of a monopoly. As far as
Hong Kong is concerned this cannot be, because the Chine se
have their own landlines And telegraph office for the
reception and distribution of messages, established in
Hong Kong, The only reason why this office does not obtain
all the traffic is because of the conditions beyond Canton,
but the Chinese Government re being well advised by the
Chinese Electric Company, which is closely related to the
International Telegraph nd Telephone Company who can soon
But the communications beyond Canton in order, therefore it
is useless to regard the service in the light of a monopoly.
Even so, the service as it is pays Hong Kong not only as
regards its actual revenue but as a trade facility, and
politically, for this reason it can only lead to the great--
est disappointment to all signatories to the agreement if
any variation to Clause 8 is attempted, and especially as
regards telegraph and telephone service with Shanghai.
I have outpointed Clause 8 as I can appreciate
the
that a commercial undertaking such as/I.C.& C. will
naturally not wish to duplicate their channels, for example
hen they take over Hong Kong, they will be operating no
less than three communication channels between Hong Kong,
Shanghai, viz: aster tension cable, Great Northern and
Radio, yet radio must continue, unless affront is offered
to the Chinese.
Another difficulty I anticipate is to reconcile
local requirements.ith Imperial desires, as regards
telephony, the Imperial project covers communication between
Hong Kong and Sing-pore and Singapore and Ingland, such a
service is necessary to keep level with the American service
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