CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3] — Page 348

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@LATO 1180-[venou al¿daejau BiH

No. 11.

Sir,

ure 6.

Enclosure

C.O

9680

RECA 14 Maic

16 MAR 4

346

H. B. M. Consulate-General,

Canton, February 13th., 1914.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's despatch No. 13 of the 11th. instant on the subject of limestone and in reply to state that the Commissioner of Industry accompanied by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs came to see me this afternoon with regard thereto.

After a long conversation with them I am confirmed

in the views which I expressed to Your Excellency personally that the present difficulties and troubles are being created by the Green Island Company's contractors. There is every desire on the part of the Government to accelerate and facilitate the resumption of export. It is the contractors who are unwilling to come to terms and I am of opinion that the Company should lose no time in despatching a responsible foreigner who, after a consultation with the Commissioner of Industry, should proceed to the quarry- -ing districts and make arrangements for fresh supplies. In the Samshui and West River districts purchases can be arranged as before. In the Ying Tak district owing to intercommunal disputes the authorities have decided to take over the handling of the stone themselves and they are prepared to dispose thereof at market rates. This course has been adopted as the ownership of the quarries for family and clan reasons is so involved that clean permits to one individual cannot issue. I am assured that it is with no view of establishing a monopoly that such action has been taken. It is solely in the interests of enabling the Company to procure supplies without delay and witnout what may be called domestic complications. Although not greatly caring for the arrangement, in so far as this particular district is concerned, I consider it highly advisable that it be given & trial because, should after trial it be proved that the spirit of the assurance is not acted up to, it will be easy to tax the Government with

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