TELEPHONE
MANSION HOUSE 5856.
Sir,
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社中英
Y.
會華商
CHINA
AssociaTION.
358
99, CANNON STREET,
LONDON, E. C. 4.
6th December, 1932
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This Association has been in correspondence with the
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce regarding a Bill which the Hong-
kong Government proposes to introduce, intitutled "An Ordinance
to authorize and validate the construction and maintenance of
piers, reclamation and other public works in connection with
the foreshore and sea bed or Crown land covered with water",
published in the Hongkong Government Gazette on August 19 last.
Whether the Government is actuated by a desire to
embark upon some specific work, or only by a desire to be in a
position to undertake public works as and when the necessity
for them arises, my Committee is not sure.
They have directed
me, however, to draw your attention to the probable effects in
China of the adoption of a Bill conferring such wide powers as
those defined in the proposed measure.
They concur with the Hongkong Chamber in thinking
that the adoption of a Bill of this nature would almost certain-
ly be used by the Chinese Government as argument and precedent
for similar action in China, not necessarily in connection with
any particular scheme, or even with a view to potential
developments necessitating wide powers, but solely for the
political purpose of asserting sovereign rights.
In Shanghai, as you are no doubt aware, foreshore
rights already constitute a delicate question as between the
H.M. Under Secretary of States
for the Colonies,
Colonial Office, S. W. 1.