CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 347

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PEKING

C.O. 346 11125

RECE

R 4 APR 13

March 7th, 1913.

General Chamber of Commerce, which contains many

Chinese members, it should not address the Fritish

Minister at Peking direct on questions affecting the in-

terests of Chinese merchants in Hongkong. I said that

this Government could not consent to such procedure, and

I feel sure that you will agree with me that it would

not he desirable to permit it.

I have &c.,

(Signed) F. lay.

Governor &c.,

18542

Excellency

Sir:-

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of

Your Excellency's Despatch of the 8th ultimo in which

you are good enough to enquire my views regarding the

continuance of the practice whereby the Hongkong

General Chamber of Commerce addresses His Majesty's

Minister at Peking direct on questions affecting

1 Sozen

}

British interests and the Dean of the Diplomatic Body

on matters of international interest.

On referring to the archives of this Legation I

find that in a Despatch addressed to the Colonial Office

on September 16th, 1885, Sir G. Howen, then Governor

of Hongkong, stated that the practice by which the

Chamber of Commerce addressed Her Majesty's Minister

direct appeared to have originated when Sir Thomas Wade

represented Her Majesty's Government at Peking. Foth

he and his successor Sir H. Parkes, had formerly re-

Bided for many years at Hongkong and were personally

Sir Francis May, K.C.M.G.,

44C., 4C.,

acquainted