CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2] — Page 564

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5th. and 8th. August.

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15953

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A15 Some practical inconvenience was experienced

in the working of these proclamations and the members of the public concerned seemed to find difficulty in ascertaining for themselves what articles were included. It was also found that exporters continued to treat the later proclamations as if they were in the form of absolute prohibitions of exportation, and that accordingly they continued to apply for permits in all cases. It was also observed that a consolidating proclamation was issued in the United Kingdom on the 10th. November, 1914. It was therefore decided to issue a consolidating proclamation here, and that was

done on the 22nd. January, 1915. In view of the considerations

mentioned above, this proclamation was drawn in the form of an

absolute prohibition to all destinations, but the power of the

Governor to permit exportation of prohibited articles conferred

by the Military Stores (Exportation) Ordinances 1862 to 1914, was recited in the proclamation, and the system of granting permits for exportation was continued under it. No permission has been given without reference to you for any exportation to what I have called "neutral ports in Europe". Similarly no permission has

been given for the exportation to non-British ports of rubber or

of graphite suitable for the manufacture of crucibles. This again

is in accordance with the instructions contained in your cypher

telegram of the 23rd. October, 1914. With regard to the other

articles in the proclamation, exportation has been freely allowed,

but local Military and Naval needs have been carefully kept in

mind all the time, chiefly by requiring certain stocks to be kept

in the Colony of articles which might be wanted.

4. A further proclamation was issued on the

24th. February embodying the additional articles included in your code telegram of the 11th. February.

There is considerable trade in Hongkong,

however, in several of the articles which, according to that telegram, may no longer be exported except to the United Kingdom,

British Possessions, or British Protectorates. In some cases this