CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 562

(35786/11).

559

Sir E. Grey thinks however that if Mr. Secretary Harcourt, and the Government of Hongkong were willing to adopt a similar scheme providing for incorporation in Hongkong, but enabling the rest of the administra- tion of such Companies to be carried out in Shanghai, the difficulties of the present situation would be adequately met, and he would in that case be prepared to abandon the scheme for the incorporation of such

companies in London.

The introduction of such a scheme would require

legislation in China by Order in Council, under the

Foreign Jurisdiction Act, and in Hongkong by Ordinance;

and the details of the scheme might with advantage

first be worked out in connexion with the preparation

of a draft of an Order in Council.

If Mr. Harcourt concurs, Sir E. Grey would propose

to consult Sir H. de Sausmarez as to the provisions

which it will be necessary to insert in such an Order

in Council, and when the draft is prepared will com-

municate it to your Department.

I enclose a copy of a further letter which has now

been