CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 135

134

prepared to accede on certain conditions to the wish

expressed by His Majesty's Government that Canadian

goods when transhipped at Hongkong and in the Straits

Settlements should retain the privilege of the

minimum tariff on importation into France.

His Excellency states, however, that in view of

the fact that the grant of the concession asked for

would entail & loss of revenue to the French

Treasury, the French Government ask in return that a

reduction may be made on the duties levied at Sin-

gapore and in the ports of Penang and Malacca on

wines and brandies of French origin.

I shall be glad to receive your instructions as

to the reply which should be given to the proposal

of the French Government.

I have &c.,

(Signed)

Francis Bertie.