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interest. Sir William Shenton, a leading lawyer of the
Colony and an unofficial member of the Executive and
Legislative Councils of the Government of Hongkong replied to
Mr. Dodwell, in a letter to the press, copy of which forms
Enclosure No. 2. enclosure No. 2. to this despatch, combatting the suggestion
that Hongkong should introduce protective tariffs but implying
that an endeavour should be made to obtain tariff concessions
from the Chinese Government. During the latter part of June
the local newspapers contained a number of leading articles
discussing the various contentions and suggesting that some
formal body should be appointed thoroughly to examine the
situation and report.
5.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Hongkong
General Chamber of Commerce held on the 27th June the Chairman,
Mr. C. G. S. Mackie, informed the Committee that he had been
authorised to state that His Excellency the Governor would be
pleased to appoint a Commission to enquire into the Trade of
the Colony as such was desired by the Commercial Community
and would appreciate an expression of opinion by the Committee
of the Chamber, After a short discussion the Committee
unanimously decided in favour of the appointment of a Commission
While I am of the opinion that after taking
6.
evidence and giving full consideration to all aspects of
Hongkong Trade and Industry any recommendations which can be
made by the Commission must, in view of the principal function of
Hongkong as an entrepot, and the political difficulties which
would be involved in any major measures, be of a conservative
nature, a Commission of this nature will be of value in
assessing the position of Hongkong both as a factor in the
trade of the Empire and as a channel for the imports and exporte
of/