3
COPY.
Enclosure/
Mr. Jamieson to Kuangtung Government
Memorandum.
C.O.
38156
RECO
REG 2 DEC 12!
35
The Hongkong Government have transmitted to this office copy of a Notification dated April 26th., 1912, issued under the Governor's seal, wherein at the instance of the Director of the Canton Cement Works the export of lime stone and dark blue stone has been absolutely prohibited. His Britannic Lajesty's Consul- -General need hardly point out that in view of the Treaty engage- -ments which China has entered upon it is not competent for the Provincial Government to issue a notification of this kind and its
immediate witdrawal is therefore requested.
From the text of the Director's petition it is evident that he is seeking to establish a monopoly in favour of his own factory. All monopolies and privileged commercial associations are in most emphatic terus denounced in the Treaties and on this ground alone the Notification should be annulled. Further, according to Treaty, free export of all Chinese produce with the exception of certain articles in the nature of contraband, such as saltpetre, cereals and salt etc., is specifically sanctioned. It is not, therefore, open to the Government to restrict in any way legitimate trade in articles of which the export is not prohibited. In the particular
case of lime stone and blue stone for the use of the Green Island
Cement Company the principle was fully recognised by the Imperial Government, and it is matter for surprise that their successors
should attempt to adopt a different policy.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.