CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5] — Page 609

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:

Telegram.

0

19732

REC!

605

REGE 27

State

The Governor of Hongkong to the Secretary-

for the Colonies.

(Received Colonial Office 12.58 p.m.27th April, 1916)

mo

1874

With reference to your telegram 25th April granted permission to B and S on (the) April 13th and in reliance on that have made arrangements accordingly including tonnage. Refusal would have involved probable loss of 10,000 pounds to Butterfields and corresponding (with) gain to E and S.

Early sugar cannot be replaced at the same price. Up to now I have not received information respecting any statutory list for Netherlands India and therefore trading with E and S is still legal here. No information that they were on Consular black list was received here till last December. The position with regard to this contract would have been quite different if Butterfields had had any warning before it was entered into. In these circumstances am of opinion that licence should be

granted.

MAY.