From
it would be easier to maintain opposition tot he
appointment of a Chinese Consular Officer in
Hong Kong if objection not raised to the
appointment of a Chinese official with limited
uuties in connection with consular invoices.
this point of view it woula, I should say, be
equally satisfactory if the consular invoice work
were undertaken by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
In any case Foreign Office state that the Chinese
Government appear to have abandoned the idea of
pressing for the appointment of a Consul.
I aɔ not know in what way the
regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs
service make it impossible for the Commissioner
of Customs at Hong Kong to undertake these duties.
It appears from (8A) that the Inspector-General
of Customs was aware of no difficulty.
If there
is a difficulty, I presume that it coula be
removed if the Chinese Government so wesired.
I woubt, however, whether there is anything to
be eui ed by further pressing this suggestion
which the Chinese Government resists.
tree alternative
manim
As regards the suggestions
now maue by China, I think that Hong Kong would
probably prefer wwwwwwmumisu that consular
invoice work should be undertaken by the local
Chinese Chamber of Commer rce rather than by a
special delegate of the Chinese Government
minal, and I am inclined to obtain the views
of the Officer Administering the Government of
Hong song by telegraph without urging acceptance of
a special delegate.
Nos119 12
I submit uraft for conson.
? Recirculate after action
Hu Jamesa
12-9-31