CO129-243 - Public Offices & Others - 1889 — Page 170

3

In the reply to this Letter the following Number should be quoted.

10613

89

C. O.

168 1423

TREASURY CHAMPĒRS,

24 JUN 89, 21 June 1889.

Sir,

I, am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her

Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you for the information of Lord Knutsford, that the Returns of British, Hong Kong and

Indian Trade with China for 1885 and 1888, respectively, show a remarkable falling off in the Indian Trade- thus

British Trade

Hong Kong

辈

Indian

1

1885 Taels

1888 Taels

45,983,873

51,442,337

16,737,348

47,093,616. 103,392,264.

7.664,722.

It has been suggested to My Lords by the Foreign Office that this falling off may be due to a diversion of the Trade between India and China into the Hong Kong Chan- nele. The question is of importance in its bearing on the proportion of the charge for Diplomatic and Consular Estab- lishments in China that is fairly chargeable to India; and My Lords would be much obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies would cause Them to be furnished with any statistics procurable showing the amount of Indian Trade with China that passed through Hong Kong in 1885 and 1888,

respectively.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Suwelby

The

Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

GA