te
The President, The Board of Trade,
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361
23rd November, 1914.
LONDON,
TA
(2)
The immediate effect of the closing up of these firms in
Hongkong will be a dislocation of business, and a serious reduction in the volume of trade at a time when work is most needed in the Lancashire and Yorkshire Textile industry, apart from the possible diversion of trade from the Colony to other Chinese Treaty porta.
The policy of the British Government in the Far East has hitherto been that of the "open door", and unless this is departed from the Germans will return to Hongkong after the War.
It may appear a presumption on our part but we raise the question whether the serious injury to the trade referred to above is justified by measures which appear to us to be only of a temporary character. (3)
On the strength of one of the earlier Proclamations permitting British suppliers to complete contracts entered into before the outbreak of war we made large shipments to Hongkong, which had we known were to
be placed in other hands to liquidate would not have gone forward. The change of attitude on the part of the Authorities is regrettable, and we fear the result will be to increase the losses of the British Merchants.
(4)
If this action is dictated, by the desire that during the War no profits shall be diverted to Germany or Austria, could not this be arrived at by the exercise of some control over the Banks ip Hongkong, which would cause, we think, much lese disturbance to English trade.
We trust the points raised will have your favourable
consideration.
Te are, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
For Geo. Richardson & Co. Ltd.,
Memingway
Governing Director.
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