CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 719

CONFIDENTI A L.

Hongkong

•November

1913.

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sir,

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38855

C. O.

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45140

R 16 SEC 03!

Government House,

Hongkong, 13th. November, 1903.

MO

31292

sexys Eastern

With reference to your Confidential Des-

Tyla with

patch of the 9th. September and telegram of the 5th. instant,

I have the honour to inform you that before replying on a

matter which so closely affected the commercial interests of

the Colony I decided to ascertain, confidentially, the views

held by the British Members of the Chamber of Commerce. I

attach a copy of their reply, from which you will observe that

they are not in favour of any of the four proposals set forth

in the enclosures to your Despatch under acknowledgment, and

are anxious for the establishment of an accelerated service

which would ensure delivery of letters from England within

25 days.

السريع

0115

2.

I have consulted my Executive Council on

this subject, and their views concur with those of the British

Members of the Chamber. Both are of opinion, however, that if

this Colony has no option but to accept one of the proposals,

the fourth is the one which should be adopted.

3.

I telegraphed to you to this effect on

the 11th. Instant, adding that this Colony was prepared to take

its share in contributing to the increased subsidy which an

accelerated service would no doubt render necessary. I may

mention in addition that this Colony is by no means satisfied

with

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ALFRED LYTTELTON, M.P.,

&C..

800.

&C...