F 12810/40/10.
Sir,
8. .1.
12th December, 1988.
20
#ith reference to your letter of the 2nd December,
regarding delays and irregularities in the mails from
Canton, I am directed by Viscount Halifax to state that,
in view of the special circumstances obtaining in the
area between Canton and Hong Kong since its occupation
by the Japanche forcee, he feels that it is inevitable
that some delay should have occurred in the transit of
mails between those points. Lord Halifax is confident
that the local British representatives may be relied on
to do all they can to ensure that the best arrangemente
possible in the circumstances are iade for the expeditious
carriage of mails. Unless it can be definitely established
tuat mails to and from Canton have been subjected to
deliberate interference and obstruction by the Japanese
authorities, His Majesty's Government would have little
ground for making official representations to the Japanese
authorities.
2. I air to add that officiul corresp nuence #48
point of fact subject to similar delays at the time to which
you refer; recently however the time takin to reach England
has tended to revert to norral.
→tury,
Chamber of Comerce,
"non Street,
I am
bir,
Your obedient servant,
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