CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7] — Page 233

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but

afted

and this laser interval it seems

a little awkward with trays. the

wise have tatian

for treis?

Mr.

silence for

assent t

2/9

No: tell him bethis

derfalite was verand fo

Common with then, daquina

In his views

abomu

824.9.93

Dear Fiddes,

In reply to the request contained in your letter of the 26th I would first remind you that our

Committee reported (p.19) "In the case of Gibraltar *and Hong Kong (which are free ports), returns of

"imports and exports are non-existent

we do

"not consider it within our province to suggest that

"this state of things should not be allowed to continue

"or to point out the steps that might be taken to

*amend it; we can only call attention to the serious

"gap in the statistics of the trade of the Empire

"arising from these causes. We may point out that

"though the ports of the Straits Settlements are free

"ports, the local authorities are able to compile

"returns of their imports and exports."

The Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong have

strongly opposed the proposal to obtain statistics and

the