pe see
4H
encl. m 5644
25
(1914 μp onC
48
to show that they would be adversely affected by a modification
of an old established hong name". I see that the Governor
informed the Legation, and the Registrar of Companies at
Shanghai, that he proposed to consult us before granting any
license under this Section, and that he forwarded an extract
from a Colonial Office despatch which assumed that arrangements
were being made for consultation as a regular practice between
the Registrars at Shanghai and Hongkong prior to the issue of
such licenses. There is nothing in the Legation archives to
show that any such license has ever been applied for.
in the vaults)
6.
Possibly in this case, if the issue of a license is
found to be undesirable, the company's wishes could be met by
an assurance similar to that which was recently given to the
Imperial Chemical Industries (see the correspondence ending
with your despatch No.293 of the 10th September last), viz.,
that were they to omit the characters as they suggest you will
not initiate proceedings against them. This might be
preferable to the issue of a license for a purpose apparently
not only not contemplated by the Ordinance but contrary to its
general intention. I suppose it would have to be quite clear
that any such assurance was unofficial and retractable without
notice.
7. Kent seems to know singularly little about the
proposal either in its practical or its technical aspects, he and
the company realise that the application should reach me through
you, and he has not explained why he was instructed to raise
the question here first. I have let him know that I have grave
doubts whether countenance should be given either by license,
or by an assurance that proceedings would not be initiated, to
the proposed evasion. He has in fact read the memorandum and
minutes/