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works of this nature are in contemplation by the government of Hong Kong, he will give instructions that the present bill be re-drafted so as to autorise the carrying out of public works of a
minor nature only."
and the Secretary of State's answer was: -
"I am aware of the provisions contained in the Bill. As my non. Friend was informed on the 13th of July, I have not yet received from the Governor of Hong Kong any detailed proposals for works to be executed under it. The proposed scope and provisions of the Eill are under consideration.*
It so hap ens that we have just had rather a
long and important letter from the Foreign Of ice on the
subject of this Bill, which shows quite defi itely that
the Foreign Office would much prefer that the Hong Kong
Government should proceed, if such a course vere at all
feasible, by means of special ad hoc ordinances rather
than by way of a comprehensive Bill. They are nervous
about the effect of passing a general Ordinance on the lines
of the proposed Bill because of the encouragement it may
give to the Chinese to pass itu lavs detrimental to
British interests in China (e.g., Shanghai, Swatow, Canton),
ject