CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 521

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, i

SUGAR BOUNTIES.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[9282]

No. 1.

Foreign Office to Colonial Office.

519

[March 17.]

SECTION 2.

Sir,

Foreign Office, March 17, 1911. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, transmitting copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong relative to the importation of Formosan sugar into that colony,

I am to state that Sir E. Grey does not propose to bring the question of the existence of a bounty on the production of sugar in Formosa before the International Sugar Commission at Brussels, and that, pending negotiation by that body, Formosan sugar (with the exception of candied sugar) may be treated by the Government of Hong Kong as free from bounties. In these circumstances it is regrettable that the Governor of Hong Kong should have informed the Japanese consul that the question This is a matter for His Majesty's would be referred to the Sugar Commission. Government, which is a party to the Sugar Convention, and not for a British colony which has not adhered to that instrument to decide. Even if the Government of For Hong Kong had acceded to the convention, it would not have any independent representation, nor would it possess any title to put questions to the commission. His Majesty's Government, by taking action in this sense, to suggest that Japanese sugar should be penalised would be contrary to their general commercial policy, apart from political considerations, which would make it highly inexpedient for this country to do so.

If the Secretary of Stata fan, the

16

M. Czarnikow that there is no restriction on the importation into Hong Kong or sugar from Formosa.

am,

I &c.

LOUIS MALLET.

[1926 r-2]