53998/39. Hong Kong.
311
BY AIRMAIL.
For Mr. Gent's signature.
zn
Downing Street,
8 November, 1939.
Parly. U.S. of S.
Secretary of State.
com
My dear Northcote,
DRAFT.
I am very sorry that your
SIR GEOFFRY NORTHCOTE, K.C.M.G.
letter of the 12th of May and
A
FURTHER ACTION.
N.D.
subsequent reminder of the 13th October
(C.S.O. 4735/38 Q:MT) were mislaid and
only just now disinterred. I am
particularly sorry that this has had
the effect of holding up decisions on
various other questions. We quite
understand that Noronha and Company,
with their long services to Government
in Hong Kong deserve all possible
considerate treatment. We cannot
lay our hands on any precedent for the
suggestion that the firm should take
over