470
(9382/14).
three years continuously immediately before obtaining "a
certificate of british nationality", by which is presumably
No diffi-
meant the "Hongkong British-born certificate*.
culty need therefore arise with regard to this class.
Sir E. Grey is advised, on the other hand, that persons
not having a Eritish-born certificate, and who have been
registered at a British Consulate for the first time prior
to the dete of the Circular of 1904 (even assuming that this
circular is not retroactive) are not necessarily entitled as
of right to British protection, although they may be subject
to British jurisdiction. It seems that it is in the
discretion of His Majesty's Government to withhold protection
in a case where it is undesirable for any reason to afford it
to any Eritish Subject, and that instructions might, if neces-
sary, properly be given to His Majesty's Consular Officers to
withhold such protection in the case of persons deported as
undesirable from British territory.
If the first suggestion put forward by Sir F. H. May is
not adopted, the second is presumably rendered unnecessary
and
:
T
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