Reference No:-
Gen.35/9/1
ECEIVE129th June, 1934.
2 JUL 193
C. O. REGY
11
(4)
Dear Cowell,
With reference to the Colonial Office letter
33800/3/34 of the 12th instant on the subject of Hong Kong
Ordinance No.3 of 1934, we are replying officially that we
have no observations to offer on the Ordinance. It occurs
to me however that the exemption of persons of Chinese race
from the provisions of the Ordinance might lead to protests
from foreign governments on the ground that such exemption is
not compatible with most favoured nation treatment given by
commercial treaties. An exemption to persons of a particular
race, not nationality, could no doubt be legally defended and
I expect the Hong Kong Government have been so advised. But I
thought I ought to draw your attention to the point which
really concerns the Foreign Office.
H. R. Cowell, Esq., C.M.G.
Yours sincerely,
En Holderness