42
not seriously damage either British trade or interests.
In so far, however, asthey concern Chinese-operated
companies incorporated in Singapore and Hong Kong, they
would appear most undesirable on the grounds (a) that
they would run counter to the present policy of
encouraging British trade in China by every possible
means, and (b) on the more specific grounds that it
would be an unjustifiable hardship to Chinese British
subjects, born and settled in the British Empire who
would yet be excluded under the present proposals owing
to the possession of Chinese nationality of which they
are unable to divest themselves.