k
COPY.
FROM MESSRS. PREECE, CARDEW & RIDER TO LAMBERT, K.C.M.G., C.B.
SIR HENRY
Personal.
212
8, Queen Anne's Gate,
Westminster, S.W.1.
20th May, 1931.
Dear Sir Henry,
Hong Kong Wireless Station.
As mentioned to you yesterday, it seems to me that
the question of the future of the Wireless Undertaking
established by the Government in Hong Kong requires careful
consideration.
I do not think it is realised that the Government of
Hong Kong have developed a very successful wireless service
with Manila, Shanghai, Japan, etc. The traffic has grown
rapidly and a gross revenue exceeding $400,000 was secured
in 1930. The traffic continues to grow and it is essential
that the small plant now installed at a cost of about £60,000
should be augmented. But the position has become difficult
as the service appears to be one of those undertakings which
fall under the wing of the Imperial and International
Communications Company.
The Government Engineer in charge of the wireless
service, Mr. L.H. King, is over here on leave and he informs
me that a draft agreement has been settled recently in
Hong Kong between the Government and a representative of the
Communications Company, under which the Company were to take
over and to maintain the wireless service and to give the
Hong Kong Government a royalty with a minimum guarantee of
£10,000 per annum.
Unfortunately, there is some doubt as to whether the
Company will proceed with this agreement, and King seems to
fear that as the Company are not too full of money their
policy/