CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 520

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to which attention has been already called namely the

anomaly of divided muuthority greated by the proposed

logielation, and the friction it will tend to produce

between the Fongong authorities and His Majesty'a con--

sular offioow in Ohiın. The longtong desuty registrer

will be intent on gathering feee for the Colonial exchequer

and will be anxious to register as many oozpanies as

possible, while the Sonetil-General will be more concerned

with the duty of chooking the incorporation of coupan joe

to which for any reason it may seem dosirable that British

protection should not be given.

Under this conflict of

intereete there is some reason to fear the perpetuat ion

of the laxity which has long obtained regarding the regia-

tration of British companies in China, and which has placed

the Lazat ion and the Consulates in the eŭarrassing

position or having to refuse protection to companies

olatring it, under Hongkong oort 17iostee

of incorporation.

The settlement of this question is awaited with

anxiety by the downeroial community of China, and I

vanture to exazase the hope that instead of inviting the

Hongkong Goverment to mend their legislation in aosor-

dance

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